south africa holidays with safari

South Africa

Sub regions inside

Broader region.

Relatively cheap when compared to other first world destinations.  Extraordinary scenery and wildlife.

South Africa has an enormous amount to offer.  For big 5 wildlife safaris, you'd want to be considering the Kruger National Park, Sabi Sands Game Reserve.

For nightlife, restaurants and exquisite scenery spend a few days in Cape Town.

Cape Town is best between November and March when it's warm and not too windy.

The Kruger Park is best towards the end of winter, before it getstoo hot and you can easily see wildlife with the foliage having lost its leaves.

Customer Testimonials

Sep 14, 2024

Had such an amazing experience working…

Had such an amazing experience working with Leigh-Ann. She was able to get me everything I wanted at the price I wanted. Could not recommend more.

Sep 13, 2024

Sara curated a trip of a lifetime

Sara curated a trip of a lifetime. Met all our requirements and exceeded our expectations all within our budget!

South Africa Here We Come!!!

We had the inclination to take Rovos Rail through part of South Africa and found Safari.com online. Nicole Van der Merwe, the friendly agent who connected with us was amazing! We connected on WhatsApp and were handled with absolute care. Nicole answered our questions in detail and within one day, were were booked on the train in the Royal Suite! We look forward to completing the additional details of our fabulous train/safari trip with her! As we have never been to SA, Nicole and Safari.com took away ALL of the concerns we had about making our trip a reality. to tell you the truth, it has been a long time since we have been treated this way by such a wonderful travel firm. Safari.com makes makes traveling to SA simple! We look forward to having them assist us with the additional details.

Jayson is polite and knowledgeable…Highly recommend

Jayson was a polite and knowledgeable person. He was never 'pushy' and gave us a lot of options. He was very understanding when we had to 'delay' our plans due to an aging mother-in-laws health and wellbeing. We have every intention of pursuing our dream of visiting Africa in the 2025/26 season and we will certainly be in-touch with Jayson. Many thanks to Jayson

Sep 12, 2024

making it very difficult to get…

making it very difficult to get included transfer from Ulusaba lodge to Skukuza airport. the Lodge includes this Transfer, but Jayson said I have to contact the Lodge directly to set it up. He will not set it up for me.

Jayson was very professional helpful…

Jayson was very professional helpful and patient with me. I would recommend him Anytime. Too bad the Ngorongoro crater lodge will be closed during our visit

Sep 11, 2024

SANPARKS booking.

Very prompt and efficient response and service.

Fadiel did a great job

Fadiel did a great job helping us plan and customize our trip. His follow up was timely and consistent.

Sep 10, 2024

Quick reactions to requests

Quick reactions to requests. Very efficient.

Best South Africa Safari Tours

• Choose from 150+ South Africa tours
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10 best South African safari packages

Compiled by

Nadine South Africa travel expert at TourRadar

Kruger in Depth

4 day cape to addo safari tour (return), 5-day kruger national park big 5 safari & panorama route tour, kruger safari and the panorama route, 6 day classic kruger park safari, 3 day big 5 & bungy safari tour (return), 9 day incredible south african safari and drakensberg adventure, kruger experience - lodge (5 days), 2 day south african wildlife safari highlights tour from cape town, 5-day simbavati george camp,(greater kruger) all-inclusive.

“An incredible experience. Be aware of the early mornings but they are necessary and could not ask for better value in a tour.” Burton Zielinski, traveled in July 2022

• Christmas & New Year
• Visit Jane Goodall's Chimp Eden
• Enjoy a traditional South African Braai
• Walk through the bush for wildlife encounters

“Fantastic experience.” Autumn Thompson, traveled in March 2024

• Discover the Swartberg Mountains
• Visit the Endangered Wildlife Ranch of Cango
• Experience the bungee jumping in Bloukrans

“Each day we got to see so much and we were so lucky to get to see the Big 5! The food was generous and the staff were very friendly and accomodating.” Sally Dalhousie, traveled in March 2024

• Witness the circle of life in action on the African plains
• Venture out to remote areas of Kruger National Park
• Get up close to some of Africa’s most stealthy predators

“I feel so lucky to have seen and experienced all that I saw on this trip.” Karen Smith, traveled in September 2019

• Enjoy three full days in the Kruger National Park and spot the 'Big 5'
• Options for half-day or full-day game drives
• Discover the stunning scenery of the Panorama Route

“Guides were very knowledgeable and very friendly and helpful, and genuinely liked their jobs.” David Gibson, traveled in September 2019

• Experience a thrilling 4h Bush Walk
• Explore Kruger Park on a sunset drive
• Visit Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre

“The views driving around were amazing! I definitely recommend this tour.” Sarah Inglis, traveled in May 2022

• Visit the Elephant Sanctuary in Garden Route
• Stop over in the world's "Ostrich capital"
• Go bungy Jumping in Knysna

“We wanted to get a taste of a variety of parks and found the destinations very thoughtfully put together.” Elizabeth Jennings, traveled in March 2023

• Dine under the stars in Kruger Park
• Hike to Drakensberg's Amphitheater
• Enjoy a full day Big 5 safari

“The game drives were wonderful. The lodge itself and the food were outstanding.” Lloyd Odom, traveled in August 2017

• Discover stunning views on the Panoramic Route
• Relax at a cozy lodge in Greater Kruger
• Learn about local flora and fauna on a bush walk

“best guide ever. jp is awesome” Florian Steger, traveled in November 2022

• Get close to nature & learn more about indigenous wildlife and plants with a 4x4 bush drive.
• Observe orphaned African Elephants as they roam freely in nature.
• Spot some of Africa's Big Five on a 4x4 safari drive at Botlierskop Game Reserve.

“All staff was top quality. PARTICULARY Jaques ,the guide had an enormous knowledge of all wildlife and also plants.” Guenter Steinmann, traveled in June 2024

• Enjoy all-inclusive meals and drinks
• Stay at Simbavati River Lodge
• Fly from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit

More about South Africa

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Where are you flying from?

• London Heathrow
• Manchester International
• Cardiff Airport
• London Stansted Apt

Fly direct from London Heathrow with Virgin Atlantic during our seasonal service.

From 27th October 2024, Virgin Atlantic will operate daily flights to the Maldives.

Book your holiday today!

From 26th October 2024, Virgin Atlantic will operate daily flights to Dubai.

Our seasonal Virgin Atlantic service will resume on the 28th October 2024 , with two direct* flights. Service operates on Mondays and Thursdays. *Direct flights include a short touchdown in Barbados

From the 1st December 2024 - 28th March 2025 , direct flights will depart Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Fly direct* with Virgin Atlantic, from London Heathrow three times a week. Direct* service operates on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays

From the 27th October 2024 - 01 December , this service will reduce to two direct* flights, departing on Wednesdays and Sundays

*Direct flights include a short touchdown in Barbados

Fly direct* with Virgin Atlantic, from London Heathrow two times a week. Service operates on Tuesdays and Saturdays

From the 29th October 2024 , an additional direct* flight will depart on Fridays.

Flights depart on Thursdays and will include a short touchdown* in Barbados.

From the 28th October 2024, fly direct Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.

From the 2nd November 2024, fly direct on Saturdays.

From the 25th November 2024 - 29th March 2025, flights will depart Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

From the 30th March - 30th April, flights will depart on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

*During the short touchdown, passengers and luggage for Antigua will remain on the aircraft.

Daily direct flights from London Gatwick to New York with our partner airline, Delta, operates between 10th April and 26th October 2024.

Fly direct with Virgin Atlantic, from London Heathrow two times a week. Flights depart Tuesdays and Thursdays.

From the 30th October to 30th November, flights will depart Wednesdays and Saturdays.

From the 4th December 2024, flights will depart Wednesdays and Fridays.

This service ends 21st February 2025.

Our new direct, daily Virgin Atlantic service to Toronto commences 30th March 2025

Fly direct with Virgin Atlantic, from London Heathrow daily . Our seasonal Virgin Atlantic service from Manchester to Barbados will resume on the 28th October 2024

Our seasonal Virgin Atlantic service from Manchester will resume on the 28th October 2024 . Direct service operates on Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays

From the 13th January 2025 - 2nd March 2025 an additional direct flight will depart on Wednesdays

Direct flights to Montego Bay operate on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

From 24th February 2025, direct flights will operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Flights departing on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays include a short touchdown* in Nassau or Turks & Caicos until 23 February 2025.

*During the short touchdown, passengers and luggage for Montego Bay will remain on the aircraft.

Fly direct with Virgin Atlantic, from London Heathrow two times a week. Flights depart Mondays and Fridays.

From 29th October 2024, our direct service will depart Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.

This service ends 23rd February 2025.

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Please enter all child ages

There must be 1 adult per child under two years of age travelling, please adjust your passenger number

To book online please select a maximum of 9 passengers, to book 10 adults or more please call 0344 557 3978

Please note: Drivers must be over the age of 21 to hire a car unless otherwise specified. Drivers between 21 and 24 years of age may be subject to additional costs.

Holidays in South Africa

South africa completely embodies the term ‘rainbow nation', we fly direct to johannesburg and cape town daily..

You can also fly from regional UK airports on one of our partner airlines.

South Africa from £1018pp

Jet off on a trip to South Africa for an exciting escape. From wildlife spotting on safari to exploring lush vineyards and immersing yourself in city life, there's a new discovery to be made around every corner on holiday in South Africa. This colourful destination is steeped in history and home to some of the world's most breathtaking, undisturbed natural beauty spots, from Cape Town to Kruger National Park. Find both relaxation and adventure with our South Africa holiday packages.

Book now for 2025!

Guarantee the hotel you want and get early access to a choice of Virgin Atlantic flights. You can also spread the cost of your holiday with Direct Debit payments.

Sun, sea and safari: South Africa highlights

Welcome to the wild! Is an African safari the ultimate tick on your bucket list? It should be! South Africa is special, there is no doubt about it, it is dusty and adventurous and warm and crazy and so much fun - we guarantee you will be back for more. The great thing about South Africa is the diversity you can find in one destination - 'Big Five' game reserves, waterfalls, spectacular self-drives, history, culture, great gastronomy, luxury, romance… we could go on and on!

You can discover lush scenery, breathtaking mountain views and exotic wildlife with holidays to South Africa. Plan your trip and discover our South Africa holiday packages and  hotels  today.

South Africa is a vast country with each province, city and game reserve offering a different experience, so where do you start? Most visitors combine a few different places within the country or across the region, travelling by plane, train or self-drive, and this is certainly what we would recommend.

Here are a few of our favourite combinations across South Africa and beyond:

City life mixed with adventure

Settle into an oceanside room in Cape Town then stay in the thick of it inside a game reserve. You can fly direct from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth for the Eastern Cape private game reserves or straight into Hoedspruit or Skukuza airports for the Kruger National Park.

Adding in some relaxation

For a relaxing break that includes a bit of the bustle of city life, start in Cape Town then take a meandering drive along the famous Garden Route ending in one of our wonderful game reserves in the Eastern Cape.  

Not a city person?

Then just skip the high-rises and get straight out into the bush. Sun City and Madikwe, Madikwe and Marataba, or just an extended stay in the Kruger, there are loads of options for the wild at heart.

Culture vulture?

South Africa has a fascinating history and is a melting pot of cultures. Johannesburg and Cape Town are a great place to start with a choice of museums and exhibitions.

Want to stay in one place?

Enjoy the Cape Town summer at The Bay Hotel in fun and funky Camps Bay, home to some of the city’s trendiest bars and restaurants. Stay here for the best of both worlds – where city life meets a sandy beach and the very best spot in the city for sunset cocktails.

Head into the Winelands

Opt for Richard Branson’s Franschhoek lodge, Mont Rochelle, the ultimate in luxury. If you have a bit more time then add on a few nights in Hermanus too to spot whales and the infamous Great White Shark!

Holidays to South Africa wouldn’t be complete without a spectacular Big Five safari. You can choose to stay in a lodge or tent within one of the parks, or reside just outside and plan your own self-guided road trip safari instead  – either way, this is your chance to spot some incredible wildlife.

When to go?

From April to October, we recommend heading for nothern areas such as Kruger National Park to enjoy warm safari evenings, and hot summer storms. However, if you do choose to enjoy the Eastern Cape in these winter months, the dry weather allows for low grass, less water-holes and easier wildlife spotting. From November to March, expect glorious weather wherever you go. 

Kruger National Park

One of the largest game reserves in South Africa with over 500 bird species and around 150 species of mammals. You’ve got a great choice of accommodation from tip-top luxury lodges to smaller, traditional hotels and homesteads outside of the park, great for the more budget-conscious.

Heading South

Offering fantastic value for money, the Garden Route and Eastern Cape are home to some great private Big Five reserves including Pumba Private Game Reserve, with luxurious lodges and loads of activities on offer, especially for the kids. You're best off travelling in South Africa's summer months here (November - March) - if you're a first time safari-goer these would be perfect!

Hotel comforts

If you like the idea of a safari but without staying in a lodge, try Sun City. This entertainment resort offers a good range of accommodation, a huge waterpark and choice of activities in a prime location just outside of the Pilanesberg National Park.

Immerse yourself in history and everyday life in vibrant  Cape Town . The lively metropolitan city is home to a myriad of boutiques, museums, restaurants and nightlife hotspots.

The summer in Cape Town brings glorious weather and a drive through vineyards and along the Garden Route is one of the country’s highlights but also don’t be put off by travelling in the winter months! Sipping white wine under oak trees in the Cape vineyards in the summer months turns into drinking rich reds around the fire. Winter is also the best time to see the famous Southern Right Whales as they migrate to the Whale Coast from  April to November .

Iconic Landmarks

Take a cable car up Table Mountain National Park for breathtaking views. Go early to miss the intense heat or abseil down if you’re feeling particularly adventurous. If you don't fancy such dizzy heights book yourself a ticket for the open bus tour - for less than £20 you can get a complete day tour taking in views of Table Bay along with Kirstenbosch National Gardens and the Constantia Vineyards.

Food and Drink

The V&A Waterfront is the most visited tourist attraction in South Africa and a great place to find your feet. If you love sampling local food and drink, this is the place for you - head to the food market where you'll find over 40 vendors selling gourmet street food, accompanied by regular live music and local wines and beers. Pop by The Watershed with it's huge range of local crafts, great for picking up a souvier.

When you've had enough of the hustle and bustle, escape to one of the beaches on the Cape coast for a picnic, Clifton or Camps Bay are a great option. In the evenings, get the party started on Long Street. On hotter summer nights, seek out a rooftop bar for epic views (and Instagram-worthy photo ops).

History and Culture

Learn about the country’s rich history in one (or all) of the city’s many museums. District Six museum is a must-see to learn about the history of the apartheid. Set aside at least two hours to take in all the exhibits.

Alongside the wildlife, there’s all manner of forests, mountains and lagoons waiting to be explored. Here are a few you might not want to miss.

Cango Caves

Located in the Garden Route, these massive chambers are easy to explore and the perfect escape from the midday heat. If you're adventurous (and don't mind tight spaces), opt for the extended tour.

Swartberg Pass

After exploring the beautiful Karoo, take a majestic drive along the Swartberg Pass, dropping down from Oudtshoorn to the Garden Route coastline. Here you can immerse yourself in dramatic mountain scenery and beautiful flowers.

Grab a car and spend a few nights here, as the prime location of this town allows for spectacular self-drive safaris in the Kruger National Park but also close-by is one of the largest canyons on earth, the Blyde River Canyon. The region is known as the Panoramic Route which includes God’s Window, the Three Rondavels and Bourke’s Luck Potholes.

Where to stay in South Africa

Holidays in Cape Town

Holidays in Winelands

Holidays in Garden Route

Holidays in Eastern Cape

Holidays in Johannesburg

Holidays in Sun City

Holidays in Madikwe

Kruger and surrounds holidays

Hotels in south africa, essential information for south africa.

Do I need a visa?

Your UK passport should be valid for a minimum period of 30 days from the date of exit from South Africa and it should have at least 2 blank pages when you present it at immigration to enter or leave South Africa.

Find out  more about Travel Visas here   »

When should I go?

South Africa has the opposite seasons to the UK — their summer is roughly  November to March  and winter is from  April to October . The north of the country (Kruger, Madikwe, Sun City) is generally warm all year but the cooler winter temperatures have a stronger effect on the Western and  Eastern Cape  Provinces which includes Cape Town and the  Garden Route .

South Africa Flydrive Holidays

Drive dramatic coastlines or experience the splendour of the famous Garden Route on your own terms when you hire a car for your South Africa holiday.

We've partnered with Hertz South Africa, and offer a comprehensive package with no excesses, unlimited mileage and an additional driver - so, why not hit the open road and make the most of your trip to the Rainbow Nation?

Customers who like South Africa also like...

South Africa

Discover south africa’s cities, diverse culture to dramatic landscapes teeming with wildlife.  .

Our South Africa safaris and tours will take you on a journey of contrasts that you will never forget, from game drives through magnificently wild landscapes seeking out the ‘Big 5’ to strolling along golden beaches, visiting award-winning wine regions and exploring exciting, cosmopolitan cities. Our selection of preferred South Africa accommodation ranges from extravagant luxury hotels and luxury safari lodges to rustic bush camps.

South Africa is populated by a mix of African, Asian and European people, with a rich variety of languages and cultures. Equally diverse is its variety of landscapes, including spectacular mountain ranges, rugged coastlines, forests, deserts, sun-drenched beaches as well as renowned game reserves teeming with iconic species. At the same time, South Africa offers a refined tourist infrastructure, excellent road and air networks, and top-drawer accommodation.

South Africa’s most famous national park – Kruger – is approximately 19,485 km2 and bordered by a number of equally well-known private game reserves. The Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve offers some of the best leopard viewing in Africa.

Popular with young families are South Africa’s malaria-free reserves, including Madikwe and Tswalu Kalahari game reserves. To the south, award-winning Grootbos Private Nature Reserve offers a unique experience overlooking South Africa’s famous Walker Bay. It is home to the “Marine Big 5” – Southern Right Whales, African Penguin, Dolphins, Cape Fur Seal and the Great White Shark.

The perfect finish to a South African safari is a stay in beautiful Cape Town, where Table Mountain forms a stunning backdrop to the city. Of the many tours available one of the most worthwhile is a visit to Robben Island – where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 18 years. Less than an hour’s  drive from the city are the fabulous Cape Winelands, another popular destination for couples after a safari.

Finally the country also boasts two of the finest luxury train experiences in the world. The luxurious Blue Train operates between Cape Town and Pretoria and offers all the comforts of a 5-star hotel. Re-creating the old-world charm and romance of the golden era of train travel, legendary Rovos Rail operates journeys between a number of destinations within South Africa as well as to neighbouring countries. Their elegantly restored 1920s carriages have been painstakingly refurbished over the years, fitted with traditional furnishings, period décor and fine wood panelling.

Be transported to a more glamorous era while travelling on our selection of luxury trains across the spectacular landscapes of southern Africa.

South Africa Train Journeys

Phinda Private Game Reserve is a majestic mosaic of woodland, grassland, wetland, mountains and rivers. Phinda has a range of exquisite five-star

Phinda Private Game Reserve

The captivating Cape Winelands and Garden Route regions are best explored on a self-drive holiday, staying along the way at a beautiful historic

Cape Winelands & the Garden Route

Our selection of fabulous hotels in stunning Cape Town have been handpicked for their superior standards of accommodation and fantastic locations

South Africa has a wonderful range of malaria-free game reserves throughout the country. Enjoy an authentic safari experience with complete peace

Malaria Free Game Reserves

Kruger National Park is home to a mind-boggling array of game but where should you stay? We’ve featured a range of premium safari lodges and

Kruger, Sabi Sands and Surrounds

For a destination that has great gameviewing, is conveniently malaria-free, and provides entertainment for all ages, look no further than

Pilanesberg and Sun City

A popular gateway to southern Africa’s prime safari areas, Johannesburg has a wealth of quality hotels in vibrant inner-city locations, as well

Johannesburg

Best south africa safaris.

Explore some of the best holidays & experiences that we can custom-design for you. All of our safaris and tours are tailor-made to suit your interests, budget and timeframe.

South Africa in Style

Discover the wild beauty of South Africa on this exciting 11 day/10 night package, and search for The Big 5.

Ultimate South Africa

Discover the very best of South Africa from it’s iconic wildlife reserves to it’s romantic railways

Kruger and The Cape

Discover some of South Africa's best known attractions on this journey that begins with a big game safari in the world-renowned Sabi Sand and concludes in beautiful Cape Town.

South Africa in Luxury

Travel from cosmopolitan Durban to Cape Town in utmost luxury, taking in two beautiful and unusual private game reserves in between: Phinda and Grootbos.

Best of South Africa

Experience the very best of South Africa from vibrant Johannesburg and spectacular Cape Town to seeking out the 'Big 5' on safari and discovering the beautiful Cape Peninsula.

Cape Town and Garden Route Discovery

Experience the sites of Cape Town, Cape Winelands, the Karoo semi-desert and the lush forests and lagoons of the famous Garden Route.

South Africa and Victoria Falls Family Safari

Go gameviewing with the kids in two excellent malaria-free "Big 5" reserves in South Africa: Pilanesberg and Madikwe. Then, fly to Zambia for a tour of Victoria Falls.

South Africa Cape Explorer

Travel with the family from Cape Town to beautiful Grootbos Private Game Reserve. At malaria-free Kwandwe, experience an unforgettable "Big 5" safari.

Say ‘I Do’ in Africa

Tie the knot at a stylish resort in Mauritius, before a honeymoon in South Africa staying at two exclusive safari lodges adjoining Kruger National Park and exploring Cape Town.

Cape, Kruger and a Castaway Island

This 13 day African getaway has it all: Cape Town, the winelands, Kruger National Park and even a castaway island off the coast of Mozambique.

African Safari Extravaganza

This epic itinerary encompasses an epic five-country train journey aboard the Rovos Rail, a safari in Tanzania's Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti as well as a beach getaway on the Indian Ocean coast.

Winelands, Garden Route and Safari Self Drive

Explore Cape Town, self-drive the famous Winelands and Garden Route regions and finish with a "Big 5" safari at Shamwari Game Reserve.

Malaria Free Safari

This malaria-free South Africa safari means that you don't need to worry about taking medication on your holiday. This is an ideal option for families with young children or travellers with health concerns.

Essential South Africa and Victoria Falls by Rail

Experience an unforgettable safari in the Sabi Sand Private Reserves, be awed by Victoria Falls then journey aboard Rovos Rail back to Johannesburg.

South Africa and Victoria Falls

Discover Zimbabwe's magnificent Victoria Falls, go on a safari in search of the Big-5 in South Africa and visit scenic Cape Town.

 Accommodation in South Africa

Like many other African countries, South Africa offers a wealth of sophisticated camps and lodges as well as opulent city hotels – many of which have been awarded  Relais  & Château x  or National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World status.  Many others  offer a level of sophistication, intimacy and service seen in few other places around the world. Our preferred lodges, hotels and camps in  South Africa  have been carefully selected for their superior location, service and comfort. Explore our handpicked accommodation options available across the many highlights of  South Africa .  

Londolozi Pioneer Camp

Luxurious Londolozi Pioneer Camp consists of 3 secluded suites in the heart of the famous Sabi Sand Game Reserve near Kruger National Park.

Idube Game Lodge

Idube is a classic safari lodge that offers all the wildlife found in South Africa's celebrated Kruger National Park with none of the crowds.

andBeyond Kirkman’s Kamp

One of South Africa's most prestigious luxury safari lodges, andBeyond Kirkman's Kamp is situated in the leopard-rich Sabi Sand Private Game Reserves.

Dulini Lodge

Dulini Lodge nestles in a grove of ancient hardwood trees on the peaceful banks of the Mabrak River in the celebrated Sabi Sand Game Reserve.

River Lodge

Set beside the seasonal Sand River frequented by all of the 'Big 5', indulgent River Lodge combines contemporary luxury with centuries-old safari traditions.

Leadwood Lodge

Stunning Leadwood Lodge sits in a grove of ancient hardwood trees at the confluence of the Sand and Mabrak rivers in the exclusive Sabi Sand Private Game Reserves.

Savanna Lodge

Savanna Lodge is wildly popular for good reason - it's within the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserves, where ‘Big 5’ sightings are almost guaranteed.

MalaMala Main Camp

On the largest privately owned game reserve adjoining Kruger National Park, Mala Mala Main Camp was South Africa's first safari lodge to transition from hunting to photographic safaris.

MalaMala Sable Camp

Family-friendly Sable Camp offers personal wildlife experiences in the historic, prolific Mala Mala Game Reserve, which adjoins world-famous Kruger National Park.

MalaMala Rattray’s Camp

The most exclusive of the three properties on the historic Mala Mala Game Reserve, Rattray’s luxury suites embody old-world grandeur with their claw-footed tubs and romantic canopied beds.

Sabi Sabi Little Bush Camp

Little Bush Camp is the latest addition to the Sabi Sabi family of luxury safari lodges, set on a riverbank in the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserves.

Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge

One of South Africa’s premier safari lodges, sumptuous Bush Lodge has earned a reputation for luxury, service and cuisine over 35 years.

Sabi Sabi Selati Camp

Award-winning Selati Camp is named after a railway once used to transport gold, and this historic theme carries across this safari lodge.

Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge

Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge has been described as the most environmentally sensitive luxury safari lodge in all of Africa.

Singita Lebombo Lodge

Perched high above Kruger National Park’s N’Wanetsi River, Singita Lebombo Lodge offers exceptional opportunities for intimate wildlife encounters.

Singita Sweni Lodge

The more intimate of Singita's two lodges in the northern Kruger, Singita Sweni offers indulgent accommodation and exclusive gameviewing experiences.

Singita Castleton Lodge

The former family home of Singita’s founders, Singita Castleton Lodge has the atmosphere of a very luxurious private country farmhouse with all of the advantages of a high-end safari camp.

Singita Boulders Lodge

Inspired by the rocks on which it rests, Boulders Lodge is a rustic yet sophisticated retreat crafted from raw timbers, wrought iron, stone and thatch.

Singita Ebony Lodge

Nestled in a grove of ancient hardwoods on the banks of the Sand River, Singita Ebony Lodge combines the luxury of a bush lodge with the simplicity of a tented camp.

Londolozi Varty Camp

The Londolozi Private Game Reserve’s spiritual heart, Varty Camp is casual and relaxed in atmosphere making it a wonderful choice for families on safari.

Londolozi Private Granite Suites

Londolozi’s adults-only Private Granite Suites are set amid great boulders and large trees, natural features which have influenced the property’s interiors and organic colour palette.

Greenfire Game Lodge

Situated on the 50,000 hectare privately owned Balule Nature Reserve, this small luxury safari lodge virtually guarantees good game sightings.

The first East African-style luxury safari camp in South Africa, Tanda Tula remains a pioneer in many areas including memorable wildlife experiences.

Thornybush Game Reserve

One of South Africa’s oldest private game reserves, Thornybush comprises of 34,000 acres of wilderness inhabited by elephant, leopard, lion and cheetah.

andBeyond Ngala Safari Lodge

Adjoining Kruger National Park, the andBeyond Private Game Reserve is home to all of the "Big 5", a classic safari lodge and luxury tented camp.

In the Timbavati Private Reserve which shares a boundary with Kruger National Park, Kings Camp faces a waterhole visited by an endless parade of wildlife.

Tuningi Safari Lodge

On the vast Madikwe Game Reserve is the luxurious Tuningi Safari Lodge as well as family-friendly Little Tuningi, a self-contained private villa.

Tau Game Lodge

Located on the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, Tau Game Lodge offers an authentic safari experience in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere.

Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge

A secluded retreat within the exclusive 185,000 acre Madikwe Game Reserve, Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge offers guests two accommodation options.

andBeyond Phinda Forest Lodge

In the heart of a rare sand forest lies andBeyond Phinda Forest Lodge, a collection of serene, contemporary glass houses.

andBeyond Phinda Mountain Lodge

On a crest in a dramatic mountain range, andBeyond Phinda Mountain Lodge offers breathtaking views of the wildlife-rich landscape below.

andBeyond Phinda Vlei Lodge

Blending beautifully into the surrounding bush, andBeyond Phinda Vlei Lodge is the kind of place where you’re much more likely to see wildlife than people.

andBeyond Phinda Rock Lodge

andBeyond Phinda Rock Lodge is an architectural wonder - a collection of suites seemingly suspended from cliff face over a valley many metres below.

Tintswalo Atlantic

With iconic Chapman’s Peak as a backdrop, award-winning Tintswalo Atlantic is perfectly positioned for explorations of beautiful Cape Town.

Londolozi Founders Camp

This relaxed safari lodge nestles in ancient forest along the Sand River, offering activities for all the family from yoga to an entertaining kids' program.

Londolozi Tree Camp

Londolozi’s adults-only Tree Camp is a super-stylish luxury safari camp set deep within a thicket of leadwood trees

Taj Cape Town

Situated in one of the most historic areas of Cape Town, Taj Cape Town is synonymous with the highest standards of service and style.

Victoria & Alfred Hotel

The classic Victoria & Alfred Hotel is a haven of old-world character and personalised service right on Cape Town’s vibrant V & A Waterfront.

Le Quartier Francais

Set in the peaceful village of Franschhoek, Le Quartier Francais invites visitors to indulge in absolute luxury and sumptuous cuisine.

Franschhoek Country House and Villas

Just outside of Franschhoek village lies a lovely original homestead with many decorative accents that allude to the property’s rich history. Innovative regional cuisine awaits you at the

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

Overlooking Walker Bay on South Africa's Western Cape, Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is an oasis of luxury set amid unique native wilderness - a magnet for rare birds.

Tswalu Kalahari

South Africa’s largest private game reserve, Tswalu Kalahari is inhabited by over 80 mammal species including meerkat and desert rhino.

Kwandwe Private Game Reserve

Malaria-free Kwandwe Private Game Reserve on South Africa’s Eastern Cape offers five safari lodges, each designed to showcase the remote beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Shamwari Game Reserve

On South Africa’s pristine Eastern Cape, Shamwari Game Reserve is an excellent safari destination being malaria-free and home to fantastic wildlife including all of the legendary "Big 5".

Makutsi Safari Springs

Family-owned and operated, Makutsi Safari Springs is a private reserve which has a very similar ecosystem to neighbouring Kruger National Park. This delightful property encompasses a number of

Sun City is a sprawling resort complex with two golf courses, entertainment, a huge water park and casinos - an ideal place for the whole family to relax at the end of a safari holiday.

Experience the extravagance of Victorian and Edwardian-era train travel on a journey aboard one of Rovos Rail’s gleaming, gloriously restored vintage trains.

The Blue Train

The multi award-winning Blue Train first launched in 1946 and today remains synonymous with the highest standards in luxury train travel.

Elegant Leeu House is an enchanting combination of casual country living and world-class luxury set in the charming, historic village of Franschhoek.

Delaire Graff Lodges & Spa

At the edge of charming Stellenbosch in the Cape Winelands, Delaire Graff Lodges & Spa offers the ultimate in luxury accommodation and fine dining.

Tintswalo Safari Lodge

Tintswalo Safari Lodge offers old-world elegance and an authentic safari experience in the beautiful Manyeleti Reserve.

Leeu Estates

Leeu Estates is a 17-room country house and boutique winery in the Frankshoek Valley and is the flagship property of Leeu Collection

Find out more about our tailor made African safaris. Get in touch with one of our Destination Specialists.

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When is the best time to visit South Africa?

South Africa  is very much a year-round destination with many camps and lodges open throughout the year. However, certain times of the year offer a better game-viewing experience. Like many other countries across  Southern Africa , the best time to visit is from June to October during the dry season. Game viewing in national parks and game reserves is superb at this time of year, and coincides with whale watching se ason (June-November) along the  Eastern C ape  coast  – a popular add-on  to see the marine “Big 5” .   

A visit to  Cape Town  and the renowned  Cape   wine   lands area is  perfect  at any time of year. However  winters can be cool and wet whilst  the weather during the summer months between November and February makes  is sunny and dry.  

July - October

November - december, january - march, april - june.

In the north of the country July marks the beginning of peak season. Wildlife viewing is excellent with animals congregating around the remaining water sources and accommodation space is limited around the  Kruger   National Park  and  Sabi  Sand Game Reserve. July also marks the start of whale watching season. Southern Right Whales reside around  Walker   Bay  between June and December and boating tours are a major highlight of the region. Renowned  Grootbos  Private Nature Reserve  overlooks the bay and whales can come as close as 30 metres from the shoreline.   

November marks the final month of whale watching season and  Walker   Bay  and  Plettenberg   Bay  remain two of the best spots to see marine life. December is busy in  South Africa  during the school holidays and festive period. Game viewing is still good, but the rains have transformed the landscape and  finding and viewing  wildlife  becomes a bit more difficult .   

January to March is fantastic time visit  South Africa ’s  Cape  with hot days and little rainfall.  Cape Town  and other coastal towns such as  Hermanus , George and  Knysna  are popular destinations with cool ocean winds combating the hotter temperatures. It is a popular time to travel the famous  Garden Route  or  explore the famous  Cape   Winelands . January and February are parti cularly popular times so  bookin gs  well in advance  is  important.   

A quieter time of year, the landscape is starting to dry out, particularly in the north – including  Kruger   National Park . April and May is a nice time of year to combine different regions. May is a shoulder month, before game   viewing and crowds begin to pick back up leading into the peak wildlife viewing months of July to October. June is a fantastic time to visit too, when the days are cool and dry. It can be very chilly at night so layers are necessary.   

South Africa FAQ’s

Can i see the big 5 in south africa.

South Africa is one of the best countries to see the legendary “Big 5” – lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino. There are a number of national parks and reserves where you can see all members of the “Big 5”. The country remains a stronghold for rhino whilst the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve is one of the best places in Africa to see leopard.

Are there malaria-free game reserves in South Africa?

South Africa does have some malaria-free game reserves including Madikwe and Tswalu Kalahari game reserves ideal for family safaris. There are also a number of reserves along the Eastern Cape easily combinable with a stay in Cape Town or a tour along the renowned Garden Route.

Where in Africa can I do a train safari?

South Africa has two of the world’s best luxury train experiences. Rovos Rail offers luxury rail safaris between major destinations including Cape Town to Pretoria and Pretoria to Victoria Falls. Many departures stop at famous national parks including Kruger and Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe.

Why travel to South Africa? 

Described as “a world in one country” South Africa  is more than just a safari destination. The wildlife of Kruger and the many private reserves throughout the country are complemented by  South Africa ’s fascinating history and diverse cultures, the beautiful coastline and majestic landscapes of the  Cape .  

What is the culture of  South Africa? 

There are m any different cultures including Zulu, Swazi, Xhosa, Indian,  Cape   Malay  and European.  As a result, there are many  unique  culinary dishes as well as  distinct music and dance.  Elegant   Cape  Dutch architecture  is also a highlight of  South Africa ’s cape .  

What can I combine South Africa with?

South Africa is easily combined with neighbouring Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Zambia or the nearby tropical island of Mauritius. Johannesburg is a very popular gateway to most of southern and eastern Africa.    

How to get to South Africa?

Many major airlines including South African Airways, Qantas, Etihad, Emirates, Kenya Airways, Qatar, Singapore Airways and British Airways fly into Johannesburg  OR Tambo International Airport . There are also many regional and domestic carriers that service local cities such as Cape Town and the Kruger National Park area.  

US  – South African Airways fly’s directly to east coast cities including New York and Washington. Delta Airlines is another option to consider flying directly to Johannesburg from Atlanta.   

UK / Europe  – There are direct flights to OR Tambo International Airport with South African Airways from London-Heathrow, Frankfurt and Munich. Major European Airlines flying directly into Johannesburg include British Airways, Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa and Swiss International Airlines.   

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Get to Know South Africa

By Andre Van Kets

Co-founder, Discover Africa

Date Published: 2 January 2014

Immerse yourself in the unparalleled beauty and diverse landscapes of South Africa safari adventures like no other.

Explore the iconic Kruger National Park, home to the majestic Big Five, the lush rolling hills of KwaZulu-Natal with its tropical Indian Ocean climate, or the stunning coastlines of the Western Cape with its cosmopolitan cities like Cape Town.

South Africa’s rich biodiversity makes it a world-renowned safari destination. Whether you want to experience thrilling wildlife encounters or a serene escape into nature, South Africa offers the perfect safari experience to suit every traveller.

Join us and create unforgettable memories on your journey through this extraordinary land.

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Why Visit South Africa?

South Africa is a destination that captivates the heart and soul of every traveller. Here’s why you should embark on an unforgettable journey to this incredible country:

Wildlife Encounters

• Witness the Big Five: Experience the thrill of seeing lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, and buffalos in their natural habitat on a safari in South Africa.
• Diverse Wildlife: Beyond the Big Five, South Africa offers rich biodiversity, including marine life, bird species, and more.

Scenic Beauty

• Stunning Landscapes: From the iconic Table Mountain to the rolling vineyards of the Cape Winelands and the dramatic coastlines of the Garden Route, South Africa’s landscapes are incredibly diverse and breathtaking.
• World-Class National Parks: Explore renowned parks like Kruger National Park and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi for unparalleled wildlife viewing.

Cultural Richness

• Vibrant Cities: Discover the dynamic culture, history, and nightlife of cities like Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban.
• Heritage and History: Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage and history, from the legacy of Nelson Mandela to the ancient rock art of the San people.

Luxury and Comfort

• Exclusive Lodges and Camps: Stay in world-class luxury safari lodges and camps that offer exceptional comfort and service.
• Gourmet Cuisine and Fine Wines: Indulge in South Africa’s renowned culinary scene, with exquisite dishes and award-winning wines from the Cape Winelands.

Adventure and Activities

• Outdoor Adventures: Engage in thrilling activities like hiking, diving with sharks, hot air ballooning, and whale watching.
• Golf and Sports: Enjoy world-class golf courses and a variety of sports activities.

Accessibility and Infrastructure

• Easy Access: South Africa boasts excellent infrastructure with a range of flight options, making travel convenient and comfortable.
• Tourism Services: Benefit from well-developed tourism services, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable travel experience.

Responsible Tourism

• Conservation Efforts: Your visit supports vital conservation and community initiatives, contributing to the protection of wildlife and local communities.

Photography Opportunities

• Capture Stunning Moments: With its diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife, South Africa offers some of the best photography opportunities in the world.

Embark on a journey to South Africa and discover a destination that promises adventure, beauty, and unforgettable memories.

Where to go in South Africa

South Africa is a land of diverse landscapes and extraordinary destinations. If you are considering where to go in South Africa , begin with the iconic Kruger National Park, known for its Big Five sightings, to the scenic beauty of the Garden Route and the vibrant culture of Cape Town, there’s something for every traveller. Explore the dramatic coastlines, the rugged Drakensberg Mountains, and the serene Winelands. Each region offers its own distinct experiences, making South Africa a versatile and captivating destination for all types of adventures.

• Durban and the South Coast
• Gauteng, Kruger and the North
• iSimangaliso Wetland Park
• Kruger National Park
• KwaZulu-Natal
• Madikwe and Pilanesberg
• Stellenbosch and the Winelands
• The Garden Route
• The Panorama Route
• The Western and Eastern Cape
• uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park

Routinely lauded as one of the world’s most beautiful cities, a Cape Town holiday offers visitors a breathtaking array of natural and cultural attractions.

The City Bowl is enclosed by the lofty heights of Table Mountain to the south, the dramatic outcrops known as Lion’s Head and Signal Hill to the west, and the choppy waters of the Atlantic to the north.

Cape Town is endowed with some fine colonial architecture, more than a dozen museums reflecting every facet of its complex multicultural history, and the culinary and retail delights of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

Cape Town also provides an excellent base for day trips to sites as diverse as Table Mountain, the Alcatraz-like confines of Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 18 years), the peaceful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, the historic wine estates of the Constantia Valley, and the wave-battered cliffs of Cape Point.

Highlights of Cape Town

Table Mountain

Rising to an altitude of 1,086m (3,563ft), iconic Table Mountain, sometimes basked in golden sunlight, other times enveloped in a misty shroud known as the tablecloth, dominates the city’s southern skyline.

The ‘tabletop,’’ accessible through either the cable car or hiking up Table mountain , offers travelers stunning views and reveals the Cape Peninsula’s geological drama.

Cape of Good Hope

South Africa’s oldest working building, the pentagonal Castle of Good Hope, situated in Cape Town, was constructed over 1666-79 and served as the seat of the Dutch colonial government for more than a century.

The Cape of Good Hope now houses a military museum and art gallery and makes for a perfect cultural experience for people on holiday in Cape Town.

Of the countless beaches in and around Cape Town, the first choice among fashion-inspired travelers in Cape Town is a Camps Bay holiday, set below the spectacular Twelve Apostles formation.

At the same time, families tend to head to suburban Muizenberg for their family holiday.

Bloubergstrand

You can’t do better for a scenic beach walk and spectacular views of Table Mountain than the aptly-named Bloubergstrand (Blue Mountain Beach) north of the city center.

Bloubergstrand is a hotspot for a beach holiday in Cape Town because of the picture-perfect Table Mountain.

District Six

The award-winning District Six Museum is arguably the city’s most engaging and poignant installation. Taped recollections, possessions, and photographs donated by former residents evoke everyday life as it was in the cosmopolitan multiracial suburb of District Six prior to it being bulldozed by the apartheid government in 1966 and rezoned as a whites-only area.

District Six is the perfect place to add to your Cape Town holiday itinerary if you’re looking to have a cultural experience in Cape Town and learn about the history of South Africa .

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Set on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, the 528-hectare Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is serviced by a network of well-marked trails passing through thematic beds of indigenous flora – most notably a lush cycad garden.

Other attractions include a fascinating collection of ‘useful plants’, and a conservatory containing succulent species typical of the arid Kalahari and Namaqualand.

Kirstenbosch is also famous for its Kirstenbosch summer concerts . Enjoy an electric atmosphere in the most relaxed setting you can imagine.

The Bo-Kaap (Upper Cape) is the spiritual home of the Cape Malay community, whose colorfully painted houses include the Bo-Kaap Museum. This beautifully restored 1760s homestead explores the history of this fascinating suburb.

The photogenic Bo-Kaap is popular among travelers for its iconic colorful houses and traditional Cape Malay meals.

V&A Waterfront

The most-visited tourist attraction on a South African holiday, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront , is a vast harbor-front development comprising 50-plus restaurants, hundreds of shops, and boats offering sunset cruises around Table Bay.

Robben Island

Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Robben Island gained infamy as the site of the maximum-security block where Nelson Mandela and other prominent anti-apartheid leaders were detained at the height of the struggle.

It can be visited on a South African holiday by a boat-and-bus excursion that leaves from Victoria & Alfred Waterfront several times daily and includes a visit to the tiny cell Mandela called home for 18 years.

Constantia Valley

The birthplace of Cape wine, the Constantia Valley houses some of the country’s most historic and beautiful estates, among them Groot Constantia, centered on an original 1680s homestead now preserved as a museum.

Now part of Table Mountain National Park , the 77km2 (30 square mile) Cape of Good Hope protects the most southerly section of the Cape Peninsula. The main focus is Cape Point Lighthouse, which stands atop a steep windswept cliff that rises 250m (820ft) from the rocky beach below.

Cape Point is also good for fynbos endemics such as the Cape sugarbird and Orange-bellied sunbird, while mammals in the area include Cape fur seals and half-a-dozen antelope species, notably eland and bontebok.

Boulders Beach

Just five minutes drive south of Simon’s Town, Boulders Beach supports a permanent breeding colony of several thousand penguins, which you can watch strutting, surfing, squabbling, and sunbathing from a network of boardwalks and viewing platforms.

Travel Tips for Cape Town

• A Cape Town holiday includes all the amenities you’d expect of the country’s leading urban tourist destination. A world-class dining scene and selection of cosmopolitan shops are complemented by an array of overnight Cape Town Accommodations , ranging from five-star city and boutique hotels to backpacker hostels and B&Bs.
• Cape Town is served by an ever-increasing number of international flights and several dozen daily flights from Johannesburg and domestic flights to all other major centers in South Africa. All flights land at Cape Town International Airport, which lies 20km (12mi) east of the city center.
• The city lends itself to casual exploration using public transport such as the MyCiti bus service. The popular Cape Town Explorer is also an option as a hop-on-hop-off bus service that connects the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront to all the major museums and the Table Mountain Cableway, Camps Bay, Sea Point, and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. Also worth considering is the Metrorail train service, which connects the central railway station on Adderley Street to Simon’s Town via the Southern Suburbs and Muizenberg. Picking up a rental car at the airport is also a viable option.

The most populous city and busiest port on the east coast of Africa, Durban is a vibrant and interesting city set in the municipality of eThekwini (a Zulu name meaning ‘Place of the Sea’).

A substantial Indian population and subtropical coastal climate combine to give Durban a slightly Asiatic feel, but Durban’s main attraction is its fine beaches and sunny coastlines.

The urban setting of Durban will appeal to travelers seeking a more down-to-earth, lived-in experience than you tend to associate with other beach resorts on holiday.

Durban lies midway along the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, a 200km (124mi) stretch of subtropical Indian Ocean frontage stretching from the Tugela River mouth south to the border with the Eastern Cape.

This is South Africa’s most conventional beach holiday destination, a beach nirvana with palm-fringed expanses of broad white sand.

Unlike Cape Town, the beaches around Durban cater mainly to domestic holidaymakers from landlocked Gauteng and thus tend to get congested over school holidays and long weekends (especially around Christmas and Easter) but are quiet at other times.

Highlights of Durban And The South Coast

Durban’s Golden Mile

South Africa’s most resort-like urban beach, Durban’s Golden Mile, is divided from the CBD by the pedestrianized OR Tambo Parade. Protected by shark nets and patrolled by lifeguards, the beach is ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and surfing on a Durban holiday, though it can get very crowded during peak season.

uShaka Marine World

The uShaka Marine World houses the largest aquarium in the southern hemisphere and is one of the best family-friendly holiday destinations in South Africa . Marine life is on show, where dolphins, seals, sharks, rays, and penguins are the main attraction. Attached to this child-friendly holiday installation is the Shaka Wet ‘n Wild Waterworld, a family fun park that incorporates the country’s largest waterslide.

Juma Mosque

Landmarks associated with Durban’s Indian population include the golden-domed Juma Mosque, the most prominent building of its type in southern Africa, and the less central Alayam Hindu Temple.

The Central Durban Botanical Garden

The Central Durban Botanical Garden includes fabulous collections of prehistoric cycads and rare orchids.

Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve

Durban’s most ecologically important conservation area, Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve, offers a rare opportunity to see mangrove dwellers such as the brilliant mangrove kingfisher and quirky mudskipper fish from a wooden boardwalk. 

It’s considered one of Durban’s best-kept secrets and a perfect holiday destination to add to your South African vacation itinerary if you want to see some protected fish and do some birdwatching.

Umhlanga Rocks

The popular South African holiday town of Umhlanga Rocks, 20 minutes’ drive north of Durban, is home to the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board.

Lifelike replicas of various sharks and rays can be viewed along with an audiovisual display emphasizing the importance of these oft-maligned creatures in marine ecology.

Ballito , 40km (25mi) north of Durban, is a thriving and well-equipped upmarket resort town with a 2.5km (1.6mi) long beachfront promenade and plenty of family-friendly holiday activities. Willard Beach in Ballito is ideal for swimming, while Boulder Beach is popular with surfers.

Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve

Carved by the Mzimkulwana River, the euphorbia-studded Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve is run through by several walking trails from which bushbuck, Blue monkeys, and a vast array of colorful forest birds can be seen.

Whitewater rafting and abseiling can be done outside the reserve on a Durban vacation.

A succession of excellent South African beach holiday destinations run along the 120km (75mi) stretch of coast south from Durban, among them Amanzimtoti, Umkomaas, Scottburgh, Port Shepstone, Margate, and Ramsgate.

Excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities are available at reefs and wrecks offshore of Amanzimtoti, Umkomaas, and Shelley Beach, making Durban a superb beach holiday destination .

Umtamvuna Nature Reserve

Protecting a forested river gorge on the Eastern Cape border, Umtamvuna Nature Reserve offers some lovely coastal and forest hiking. It harbors various small antelope and is a breeding colony of the endangered Cape vulture.

Practical Information for Durban And The South Coast

• Durban is connected to Johannesburg, Cape Town, and many other large centers by several daily flights. All flights land at King Shaka International Airport, 35km (22mi) north of the city center. The usual car rental agencies are available here, and airport shuttles and taxis are available to get you to the city center or elsewhere on the coast.
• There’s no shortage of hotels in Durban, and the city is also serviced by many B&Bs and backpacker hostels. You can also find hotels and resorts along the coast flanking Durban, with Ballito and Umhlanga Rocks particularly well-endowed when it comes to stylish upmarket lodges.
• Indian cuisine is well represented in Durban, and good seafood can be had throughout the region.

The major safari destinations in South Africa are mostly clustered in the country’s northern interior. Foremost among these is the iconic Kruger National Park and bordering private reserves, which collectively protect a vast tract of low-lying bushveld that offers some of the finest Big Five viewing anywhere on the continent.

Also very popular, particularly for those who want to avoid the slim risk of malaria associated with the Kruger, are the more westerly Madikwe and Pilanesberg Game Reserves , both of which harbor all the Big Five along with other wildlife favorites such as giraffe and warthog in the malaria-free North-West Province .

(P.S. If you’re looking for Gauteng Accommodation Specials , we’ve got some great travel deals for you.)

The main air gateway to these fine reserves is built-up Gauteng, a province that accounts for less than 1.5% of South Africa’s surface area but supports a full 20% of the national population and generates an astonishing 10% of the entire African GDP. Bustling, chaotic, and unapologetically commerce-driven, Gauteng – a Sesotho name meaning ‘Place of Gold’ – exists purely because of the immense mineral wealth beneath its soil.

It’s home to four of South Africa’s ten most populous cities, including the national capital, Pretoria, and the megapolis of Johannesburg.

Although its attractions may not be as immediate as those of Cape Town or Durban, the province does offer plenty of worthwhile sightseeing on your South African holiday, from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Cradle of Humankind (one of the world’s most significant paleoanthropological sites) to the first history-making former ‘township’ of Soweto.

Highlights of Gauteng, Kruger And The North

Quite simply one of the world’s largest and most rewarding safari destinations, the iconic Kruger National Park supports 147 mammal and 517 bird species, including substantial populations of all the Big Five.

Included on the most organized tours through South Africa , it is also an unusually straightforward goal for DIY safari enthusiasts.

Sabi Sands Game Reserve

The best known of the private reserves sharing an open border with Kruger, Sabi Sands Game Reserve is home to several bar-setting game lodges and camps offering all-inclusive Big Five safaris to an exclusive clientele.

Expertly guided game drives in open-top 4×4 vehicles provide some of the world’s most intimate leopard viewing .

Panorama Route

The sheer escarpment that divides the sweltering Lowveld of Kruger from the breezy highlands around Graskop can be explored on a Panorama Route holiday . This loosely-defined road circuit offers access to several beautiful waterfalls and viewpoints.

Highlights include the restored goldrush village of Pilgrim’s Rest and the spectacular 1.4km (4593ft) deep Blyde River Canyon.

Madikwe Game Reserve

South Africa’s premier malaria-free safari destination , Madikwe Game Reserve , offers excellent Big Five viewing , with lion, elephant, and rhino particularly conspicuous.

It functions much like the private reserves bordering Kruger, with an emphasis on guided game drives in open-top 4x4s, and is serviced by a couple of dozen small and exclusive all-inclusive bush lodges.

Pilanesberg Game Reserve and Sun City

Only two hours’ drive north of Gauteng, the Pilanesberg Game Reserve and adjacent Sun City pits another fine malaria-free safari venue against the altogether more hedonistic pleasures of a Sun City holiday , a massive casino complex that sports two superb golf courses and plenty of child-friendly activities .

Johannesburg

Founded above the world’s richest gold deposits in 1886, Johannesburg is South Africa’s largest city and main economic hub. The dynamic social fulcrum of the country’s most culturally integrated and forward-looking province, it’s also renowned throughout Africa as a shoppers’ paradise.

Travelers from further afield won’t regret making an effort to explore the Apartheid Museum and the wide selection of photographs, old newsreels, and other imaginative displays documenting the rise and fall of the system of institutionalized racism for which it is named.

The ‘township’ of Soweto – rather prosaically, an acronym of South West Townships – was the setting of many pivotal events during the anti-apartheid struggle.

Guided tours lead past such landmarks as the poignant Hector Pieterson Memorial, whose 13-year-old namesake was felled by the wave of police fire that initiated the Soweto Rising on 16 July 1976, as well as the Calabash-shaped FNB Stadium, which hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands.

Tours on your Soweto holiday usually include a lunch break at one of its so-called shebeens – now legitimized hole-in-the-wall bars that thrived illegally under apartheid.

Cradle of Humankind

Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, the paleontological treasure trove dubbed the Cradle of Humankind protects an ancient Karstic landscape whose wealth of fossils forms a unique record of the last 3-4 million years of human evolution.

Its centerpiece is the Maropeng Visitors Center, an award-winning and unusually child-friendly holiday installation. Self-guided tours start with an exciting boat ride through a subterranean waterway that takes you backward in time, reproducing the volatile seismic conditions that shaped our planet’s geology.

The nearby Sterkfontein Caves are where, in 1936, Dr. Robert Broom discovered the first fossil confirming Darwin’s theory that humans evolved in Africa.

Established in 1855, Pretoria – now part of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality – has long served as the administrative capital of South Africa. The avenues of the stately city center are lined by Jacaranda trees that bloom purple in October and century-old buildings.

Foremost among the latter, the sandstone Union Buildings, designed by Sir Herbert Baker in 1913, is where Nelson Mandela’s presidential inauguration was held in 1994.

Standing sentinel on the city’s southern outskirts, the hilltop Voortrekker Monument is an immense granite monolith built in the 1940s to commemorate the Afrikaner pioneers who trekked from the Cape to what is now Gauteng a century earlier.

Mapungubwe National Park

Set on stark baobab-studded granitic hills running down to the south bank of the Limpopo, Mapungubwe National Park is the site of a medieval trading city that supported some 5,000 people in its 13th-century peak as a supplier of gold, copper and ivory to the Swahili Coast of East Africa.

Guided safaris of the archaeological site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, run every morning and an award-winning museum displays artifacts unearthed there. Elephants, kudu, and klipspringer are regularly seen, and lions and leopards are also present.

Practical Information for Gauteng, Kruger, And The North

• The terminus of most international flights to South Africa, OR Tambo International Airport, lies on the eastern outskirts of Johannesburg, about one hour’s drive from Pretoria and two hours from Pilanesberg and Sun City. OR Tambo is also the most important hub for domestic flights, with several connections to Cape Town, George, Port Elizabeth, East London, Durban, and Kruger-Mpumalanga International Airport (for Kruger and the private reserves), as well as thrice-weekly flights to Pilanesberg.
• Self-drive is straightforward throughout, and most major rental companies are represented at OR Tambo (and, for that matter, at Kruger-Mpumalanga International Airport), and there are also plenty of shuttles and taxis for those not being met by an operator or hotel shuttle.
• Literally hundreds of city hotels serve Johannesburg and Pretoria. There are also rustic out-of-town lodges, B&Bs, and backpacker hostels. You can find a fair range of similar accommodations in most other towns in the region. In game reserves, the choice tends to split between all-inclusive upmarket lodges ( Madikwe and Sabi Sands ) and simple but well-priced rest camps ( Kruger , Mapungubwe , and Pilanesberg ).

South Africa’s third-largest protected area and oldest UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 3,320km2 (1,282 square miles) iSimangaliso follows the Indian Ocean coastline for a full 220km (137 miles) north of Lake St Lucia (Africa’s largest estuarine system) to Kosi Bay on the border with Mozambique.

It’s easily the country’s most biodiverse reserve, incorporating five separate Ramsar Wetlands, a lush tropical mosaic of mountains, bushveld, palm groves, wooded dunes, grassland, and coastal forests, as well as a 5km (3mi) wide marine section that harbors Africa’s most southerly coral reefs.

The faunal diversity of iSimangaliso (a Zulu word meaning ‘something wondrous’) was encapsulated by Nelson Mandela, who described it as “the only place on the globe where the oldest land mammal (rhinoceros) and the world’s biggest terrestrial mammal (elephant) share an ecosystem with the world’s oldest fish (coelacanth) and the world’s biggest marine mammal (whale)”.

Indeed, iSimangaliso can boast a higher count of vertebrate species than any other African conservation area, with 129 terrestrial and aquatic mammals, 525 birds, 128 reptiles, 50 amphibians, and 991 marine as well as 48 freshwater fish.

Despite this, while wildlife is abundant in parts, the stunning coastal scenery is at least as big an attraction as the game viewing.

Highlights of ISimangaliso Wetland Park

St Lucia Village

Jungle-swathed St Lucia Village, fringing the freshwater estuary for which it is named, stands at the far south of iSimangaliso and is the park’s main travel hub. A contender for South Africa’s most wildlife-friendly settlement, it’s home to plentiful hippos and crocs, porcupines, bushbuck, and warthogs.

The tropical birding safari destination includes the African fish eagle, Trumpeter hornbill, Purple-crested turaco, and Mangrove kingfisher. Popular activities include visits to an out-of-town crocodile farm and launch trips on the St Lucia Estuary.

Set below forested dunes on a reef-shielded beach north of St Lucia, Cape Vidal is a superb beach that offers good low-tide snorkeling and seasonal land-based whale and dolphin viewing. It also forms a vital seasonal nesting site for loggerhead and leatherback turtles.

Mission Rocks

Halfway between St Lucia and Cape Vidal, the forested dunes around Mission Rocks are some of the world’s tallest and provide sanctuary to the secretive Red duiker and localized Blue monkey.

Buffalo, rhinos, elephants, and possibly cheetahs might be seen on the safari loop to Lake Bhangazi.

uMkhuze Game Reserve

The 400km2 (154 square mile) uMkhuze Game Reserve offers the finest game viewing within iSimangaliso. Home to elephants, buffalo, giraffes, and elusive populations of leopards and cheetahs, it’s ideal for a photographic safari thanks to some well-sited photographic hides that attract a steady stream of nyala, kudu, zebras, warthogs, White rhinos and Black rhinos.

More than 420 bird species, including the localized Yellow-spotted nicator, Livingstone’s turaco, Neergaard’s sunbird, and African broadbill, make it an excellent birding safari destination .

Sodwana Bay

Africa’s southernmost coral reefs stand offshore of Sodwana Bay, whose Seven Mile Reef is ranked among the world’s most beautiful dive sites , with overhangs, drop-offs and mushroom rocks reaching around 20m (65ft) below the surface. Expect a dazzling array of colorful reef fish.

Lake Sibaya

South Africa’s most significant natural freshwater body, Lake Sibaya, is backed by tall forested dunes and supports around 150 hippos along with a wide diversity of aquatic birds, making it an ideal destination for a birding safari .

Comprising eight lakes and a series of connecting channels that drain into the Indian Ocean through a sandy estuary, scenic Kosi Bay offers unusually calm snorkeling conditions and the opportunity to seek out 150 marine fish species on the rocky reef in the estuary mouth.

The complex fishing traps set in the estuary by the local Thonga people represent a highly sustainable form of traditional resource management since the estuarine fish are readily replenished from the open sea.

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve

St Lucia village is a convenient base for day safaris to the nearby Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, providing the perfect opportunity for a Big Five safari . The Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve houses the world’s densest populations of both White and Black rhinos.

Other wildlife includes African wild dogs, giraffes, zebra, impala, nyala, greater kudu, warthogs, Vervet monkeys, and almost 400 bird species, making the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve perfect for a birding safari as well.

Phinda Resource Reserve

Sharing its eastern boundary with iSimangaliso, the private Phinda Resource Reserve is KwaZulu-Natal’s most prestigious safari destination.

All-inclusive safari tours with guided game drives in an open-top 4×4 are also sure to yield all the Big Five throughout a two- to three-night holiday. A dense population of habituated cheetahs allows for excellent close-up behavioral viewing.

Tembe Elephant Park

Not strictly speaking a private reserve, but effectively functioning as one, the 300km2 (116 square mile) Tembe Elephant Park is best known for its giant tuskers.

At Tembe Elephant Park, you can do a Big Five safari as all of the Big Five are present. You can also do a birding safari because of the various bird species present.

Practical Advice for ISimangaliso Wetland Park

• Several scheduled daily flights connect Johannesburg to Richards Bay, a large industrial port town about one hour’s drive southwest of St Lucia Village by road. There are also regular flights from most major South African cities to Durban, about three hour’s drive from St Lucia along the N2. Some visitors to Phinda and other private reserves use direct charter flights.
• Most Durban-based tour operators offer overnight trips to southern iSimangaliso and/or Hluhluwe-Imfolozi. The region is also well suited to self-drive visits, though a 4×4 vehicle is required for most places north of Mkhuze Game Reserve and east of the N2.
• You can find a varied selection of budget to mid-range accommodation in St Lucia Village. Most reserves within or associated with iSimangaliso have inexpensive but comfortable rest camps. Upmarket bush camps can be found in Phinda, on the outskirts of Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, and at certain sites along the iSimangaliso coastline north of Sodwana.

Extending over a mind-boggling 19,485 km2 (7,523 square miles), the Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s largest and most iconic safari destinations. It’s comparable in area to Wales or the state of New Jersey.

It shares open borders with several smaller private reserves as well as two transfrontier national parks in the form of Gonarezhou (Zimbabwe) and Limpopo (Mozambique).

Kruger National Park vies with Cape Town as South Africa’s top destination, attracting more than one million visitors annually. The park is better suited to affordable self-drive safaris than any other major African park.

By contrast, the exclusive private reserves that border Kruger and ‘concession lodges’ that occupy exclusive enclaves within it set the bar for all-inclusive luxury safaris in open-top 4×4 vehicles driven by expert guides.

Set in the hot eastern Lowveld, Kruger is traversed by several rivers and is punctuated by a few hilly areas. Still, it mostly comprises flat savannah dominated by acacia trees in the south and mopane woodland in the north.

Kruger National Park Parfuri ElephantThe Nile crocodile is the most conspicuous of 114 reptile and 34 amphibian species, but the ethereal communal calls of the Bubbling kassina and other tree frogs often provide a haunting aural backdrop to dusk waterhole vigils.

Kruger is a magnet for birding safaris , with 517 bird species recorded. Expect everything ranging from the spectacularly colorful Lilac-breasted roller and White-fronted bee-eater to several heftier species now rare outside of protected areas, such as the eyelid-fluttering Southern ground hornbill, the bizarre Secretary-bird, the massive Kori bustard (the world’s heaviest flying bird), the macabre Marabou stork, and, of course, the ostrich.

Highlights of Kruger National Park

Southern Kruger

Thanks to its relative proximity to Gauteng, Southern Kruger carries the highest volume of safari-goers.

The far south offers the park’s most reliable game viewing: the surfaced H4-1 that follows the Sabie River from Skukuza to Lower Sabie, a great area to spot elephant, buffalo, lion, and even leopards.

It’s also a favorite for birding safaris , while the H4-2 and associated dirt roads running south to Crocodile Bridge explore the park’s best rhino country.

Central Kruger

The focal point of the lightly-wooded savannah of Central Kruger, Satara, stands at the crossroads of some superb safari roads.

Seasonal concentrations of wildebeest and zebra are reminiscent of the Serengeti, and it’s the best place to look for cheetahs and see lion kills – the latter also often attracting jackals and hyenas.

The aptly-named Olifants River is a favored haunt of elephants, and it also often attracts immense herds of thirsty buffalo.

Northern Kruger

Wildlife viewing in the remote Northern Kruger is challenging because while buffalo and elephants are conspicuous, lions, leopards, and rhino encounters are rare.

Balanced against that, the untrammeled north possesses a mesmerizing wilderness feel and hosts many localized bird species absent further south, making the Northern Kruger a perfect destination for a birding safari .

Thulamela Heritage Site, on the south bank of the Luvuvhu River, protects the substantial ruins of a 16th-century Zimbabwe-style stone-wall royal village.

Makuleke Contractual Park

The 240km2 (93 square mile) Makuleke Contractual Park, which runs south from the Limpopo River along the border with Zimbabwe, was annexed to Kruger following the forcible relocation of its inhabitants in 1969.

Restored to the Makuleke community in the 1990s, it’s still managed as part of Kruger and hosts two private lodges that offer much to keen birdwatchers or anybody seeking a genuine wilderness escape.

An excellent place to seek out the likes of Pel’s fishing owl, Racket-tailed roller, and Triple-banded courser, it also offers exclusive access to the spectacular Lanner Gorge and lush Fever tree forest at Crooks Corner.

Home to some of South Africa’s most lauded game lodges, the Sabi Sand Reserve was amalgamated from several now jointly-managed private properties in 1948.

It shares an open boundary with southern Kruger, and expertly guided game drives in open-top 4×4 vehicles often throw up all the Big Five on safari , as well as cheetah and African wild dogs. The reserve also arguably offers the world’s best and most intimate leopard viewing.

Manyeleti Game Reserve

Immediately north of Sabi Sand, Manyeleti Game Reserve , whose Shangaan name means ‘Place of Stars,’ was set aside in 1964 and now shares an unfenced 30km (19mi) eastern border with Kruger and supports a similar selection of wildlife.

However, poaching and low tourist volumes mean that game viewing on safari isn’t quite up there with several of its neighbors.

Timbavati Nature Reserve

Named after the seasonal river that flows close to its southern boundary before crossing into Kruger, the private Timbavati Nature Reserve , created in 1962, and now unfenced along its border with Kruger, operates similarly to Sabi Sand.

Game drives don’t quite match up when it comes to leopard and rhino safari sightings, but since camps are more spread out, they tend to operate at a more relaxed pace.

Private Concession Lodges

The Kruger’s dozen-or-so privately-run concession lodges stand on individual enclaves of national parkland where exclusive traversing rights have been awarded to the concessionaire.

Much like the private reserves bordering Kruger, each concession hosts between one and three exclusive small camps offering guests a deluxe package, including expertly guided safari game drives in open-top 4x4s.

However, the concessions are typically much larger than the private reserves, wildlife is less habituated to vehicles, and there is no cross-traversing with other lodges – the net result being that game viewing tends to be more erratic. Still, the overall experience is arguably more holistically satisfying.

Practical Information of Kruger National Park

• Kruger is well-suited to affordable self-drive safaris. An ordinary saloon car can easily explore a good network of sealed roads. The 20-odd rest camps offer inexpensive but comfortable accommodation , and most have grocery shops, filling stations, and restaurants.
• In addition, an excellent selection of maps, guidebooks, and other interpretive material is available on-site.
• Kruger-Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) lies within an hour’s drive of Numbi and Phabeni Gates. It’s connected to Gauteng’s OR Tambo International Airport by several scheduled flights daily, and several car rental companies are represented there. For couples or families, it may be more affordable to rent a car out of Gauteng and drive, following the N4 east from Pretoria to Mbombela or the N12 from Johannesburg/OR Tambo to connect with the N4 at eMalahleni (formerly Witbank). Allow five hours for the drive.
• The private and concession lodges associated with Kruger offer a very different and somewhat more costly experience. Most exude an aura of safari chic, pamper clients with gourmet meals and service levels in line with a luxury spa, and include a guided evening and morning game drive. These lodges are typically visited as a two- or three-night all-inclusive fly-in or drive-down package from Gauteng.
• You could also tag one night at a private reserve to the end of a self-drive Kruger safari – though be sure to time things so that you arrive at camp in time and leave late enough to do all game drives.
• Kruger is hot and seasonally humid, with summer daytime temperatures routinely topping the 30°C/86°F mark (frequently 40°C/104°F in the north). The air dries out in winter when nights can be freezing, and you’ll want plenty of warm clothing for evening and early morning game drives.

South Africa’s most ecologically diverse province, KwaZulu-Natal is flanked by two vast and very different but equally important and alluring UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the lush subtropical Indian Ocean coastline protected within iSimangaliso Wetland Park and the lofty 3,000m (9,843ft) peaks of the hiker-friendly uKhahlamba-Drakensberg.

(P.S. If you’re looking for affordable KwaZulu-Natal Accommodation Specials , we’ve got some great travel deals for you.)

Other attractions include the beach holiday city of Durban, the countless smaller beach resorts that flank it on either side, the top-notch Big Five game-viewing offered at the likes of Hluhluwe-Imfolozi and Phinda Game Reserves, and a wealth of historical and cultural sites associated with the Zulu nation for which the province is named.

Highlights of KwaZulu-Natal

South Africa’s third largest city, the vibrant port of Durban, stands at the hub of a 200km (124mi) stretch of Indian Ocean coastline endowed with an endless succession of perfect beaches for beach holidays .

A magnet for hikers and ramblers, the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site remarkable not only for its scenic beauty but also for its botanical diversity, wealth of endemic birds, birding safari opportunities , and prehistoric rock art dating back up to 3,000 years.

KwaZulu-Natal’s most important Big Five destination , the 960km2 (371 square mile) Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve was first accorded official protection in 1895 and formerly served as the royal hunting ground of King Shaka Zulu.

The reserve has played a crucial role in the conservation of both African rhino species, and it now protects the world’s densest population of these endangered creatures.

Other prominent residents include elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebra, impala, nyala, greater kudu, warthogs, and to a lesser extent, lions and leopards. From mid-March to mid-December, four-night wilderness trails lead through a 300km2 (116 square mile) area closed to vehicular traffic.

Ramsar Wetlands

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the coastal iSimangaliso Wetland Park incorporates five separate Ramsar Wetlands and a checklist of more than 2,000 vertebrate species, more than any other African conservation area.

The Dhlinza Forest Reserve

The Dhlinza Forest Reserve, bordering the small town of Eshowe, protects the country’s most accessible patch of mist-belt forest. Home to the diminutive Blue duiker and an exciting selection of forest birds for birding safaris , it’s traversed by a 125m (410ft) aerial boardwalk that terminates at a tall tower offering grandstand views to the Indian Ocean.

Karkloof Nature Reserve

Sleepy Howick overlooks the spectacular 95m (312ft) high Howick Falls. It provides access to the Karkloof Nature Reserve, which protects the country’s largest remaining stand of mist-belt forest.

It’s also the focal point of the Midlands Meander, which comprises a few dozen loosely-affiliated cottage industries ranging from art and pottery studios to craft workshops and cheese producers. An imaginative sculpture comprising 50 steel columns marks the out-of-town Nelson Mandela Capture Site, where its namesake was arrested for anti-apartheid activities in 1962.

The showy but exuberant cultural program at Shakaland provides an informative and enjoyable introduction to the culture of the province’s numerically dominant Zulu people. It’s an ideal add-on to your itinerary for your South African holiday if you’re looking for a cultural holiday experience.

eMakhosini Heritage Park

The 250km2 (97 square mile) eMakhosini Heritage Park protects the Zulu ‘Valley of Kings’ and includes such cultural landmarks as King Shaka’s Grave, the reconstructed residence of King Dingane, and the Hill of Execution where the Voortrekker party led by Piet Retief was slaughtered. It’s also home to rhinos and other typical Zululand wildlife.

Battlefields Route

The so-called Battlefields Route through the province’s northern interior comprises several important sites associated with the 19th-century Zulu-Boer and Anglo-Zulu Wars and the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902. These include Blood River, Isandlwana, Rorke’s Drift, and Spionkop Hill.

Pietermaritzburg

The inland city of Pietermaritzburg, founded in 1838 as part of a short-lived Boer Republic called Natalia, has been the provincial capital since 1843. Its pedestrian-friendly CBD contains several well-preserved Victorian buildings, including the redbrick City Hall, the Railway Station, the former Supreme Court (now the Tatham Art Gallery), and the Voortrekker Msunduzi Museum.

Practical Information of KwaZulu-Natal

• The main air gateway to KwaZulu-Natal is King Shaka International Airport, which lies 35km (22mi) north of central Durban. It’s connected to Johannesburg, Cape Town, and many other large centers by several daily flights.
• An alternative port of entry for the northern part of the province is Richards Bay, which is connected by daily scheduled flights to Johannesburg and lies about one hour’s drive southwest of iSimangaliso’s St Lucia Village or Hluhluwe-Imfolozi.
• The usual car rental agencies are available at both airports, and airport shuttles and taxis are available to get you to Durban or elsewhere on the coast.
• Traveling between Gauteng and Durban by road, the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park lies about halfway between the two and makes for an excellent place to break up the journey for a few nights. Hotels, B&Bs, and backpacker hostels are plentiful in most parts of the province. The provincial conservation authority also operates an extensive network of affordable and comfortable rest camps in its various reserves.

Situated in the blandly-named low-profile North West Province, these two relatively recently-created reserves have grown in popularity in recent years thanks to their family-friendly holiday location in a malaria free-zone and excellent Big Five viewing .

Pilanesberg and Madikwe are pretty similar in ecological terms, both being situated in the transitional zone to the moist eastern bushveld and the semi-arid Kalahari biome that extends into neighboring Botswana.

The usual safari favorites are supplemented by many dry-country species at the eastern limit of their range. However, the two reserves cater to very different clientele.

Pilanesberg, only two hours from Gauteng, stands adjacent to the glitzy Sun City casino and resort complex and is geared primarily towards self-drive day and overnight visitors.

By contrast, the more remote Madikwe is closed to day visitors and caters exclusively to the top end of the safari market, hosting a few dozen exclusive bush camps that offer plush accommodation and all-inclusive packages comparable to the private reserves bordering Kruger.

Now entrenched as South Africa’s premier malaria-free safari destination , the 750km2 (290 square mile) Madikwe Game Reserve abuts the Botswana border some four hours’ drive northwest of Gauteng.

Flanked by the perennial Great Marico River, the reserve was established in 1991 following a government study that concluded it could be utilized more profitably and offer greater benefits to local communities as a conservation area than as an unproductive farm.

Following an extensive reintroduction program, it now offers an excellent chance of sighting three of the Big Five – lion, elephant, and rhino on a Big Five safari – while buffalo and leopard are also present but more scarce. Common grazers include giraffe, zebra, greater kudu, springbok, Red hartebeest and tsessebe.

It’s also possibly the most reliable reserve in South Africa for encounters with the endangered African wild dog. Night drive safaris frequently offer good sightings of the shy brown hyena and bizarre aardwolf.

A checklist of 350 bird species includes several northwestern specials, most conspicuously the Southern pied babbler (dubbed the ‘flying snowball’) and the exquisite Crimson-breasted shrike, Shaft-tailed whydah and Violet-eared waxbill, making Madikwe an ideal location for a birding safari .

Pilanesberg Game Reserve

Nestled scenically within a collapsed volcanic crater, the 550km2 (212 square mile) Pilanesberg Game Reserve supports game densities similar to the likes of Kruger and ranks as one of the best places anywhere in South Africa for close-up encounters with White rhinos and elephant on a safari.

Situated only two hours drive north of Gauteng, it forms a realistic goal for time-pressed travelers looking for a malaria-free overnight safari destination out of Johannesburg or Pretoria.

Large predator sightings are comparatively hit-and-miss, but the odds of encountering a lion or leopard (along with the strictly nocturnal brown hyena and aardwolf) improve greatly if you join a guided night drive safari into the reserve.

As with Madikwe, a checklist of 350 bird species includes several species that reflect its transitional location, making it a perfect destination for a birding safari .

Sun City Resort

Established in 1976, Sun City is sometimes dubbed Las Vegas-in-the-bush. While the massive casino at the complex’s heart just about justifies this tag, it also doubles as a fun, family-friendly destination boasting an imitation inland beach called the Valley of Waves, two superb golf courses designed by Gary Player, and day safaris into the adjacent Pilanesberg.

Travel Tips to Madikwe And Pilanesberg

• Three scheduled flights weekly connect Johannesburg to Pilanesberg Airport, which also serves Sun City. It is arguably easier (and quicker) to drive. This takes about two hours from O.R Tambo Airport, Johannesburg, or Sandton, or 90 minutes from Pretoria via the scenic Hartebeespoort Dam. It’s also easy to arrange a road transfer to Sun City or Pilanesberg.
• It’s more like four hours’ drive from Johannesburg to Madikwe, and since all lodges here offer all-inclusive packages and self-drive exploration is forbidden, the best option is to fly.
• Accommodation at Madikwe is limited to upmarket lodges. Pilanesberg and Sun City offer everything from five-star resort hotels and upmarket game lodges to budget-friendly rest camps within the reserve.

The scenic Boland (literally ‘Upland’) immediately inland of Cape Town enjoys twin claims to fame. Not only is it home to some of South Africa’s oldest and most vivid towns (most notably Stellenbosch and Franschhoek), but it also forms the hub of the Cape’s burgeoning wine industry.

Characterized by lush vine-planted valleys set below spectacular mountain ranges such as the Simonsberg, Groot Drakenstein and Helderberg, these beautiful areas are collectively referred to as the Cape Winelands, and few visitors pass up the opportunity to enjoy a ‘wine tour’ through some of its more famous estates, most of which offer free or inexpensive tasting facilities.

Stellenbosch and some of the older wine estates also house some handsome examples of Cape Dutch architecture, a uniquely South African style typified by whitewashed thatched buildings with a rounded and ornately bordered gable set above the main door, and two flanking perpendicular wings.

Established in 1679, South Africa’s second-oldest town, Stellenbosch, is named after its founder Simon van der Stel.

Nicknamed Eikestad (Town of Oaks), it retains a pleasingly time-warped Cape Dutch character whilst also hosting a lively selection of contemporary restaurants, cafés and shops.

The Stellenbosch Village Museum comprises four restored houses – the oldest being the Schreuderhuis, one of the few buildings to survive the great fire of 1710 – representing different phases in the town’s development.

Lanzerac Estate

Founded on the outskirts of Stellenbosch in 1692, the scenic Lanzerac Estate is known for its stately Cape Dutch architecture and for producing the world’s first commercial Pinotage (a red cultivar unique to South Africa) in 1959, and it includes a five-star restaurant and hotel.

Franschhoek

Named for the many Huguenot refugees who settled there in the late 1680s, pretty little Franschhoek (‘French Corner’) hosts a few historic buildings, notably a pastoral Cape Dutch church built in in 1848.

Its French roots are reflected in the handsome arched Huguenot Monument built on its outskirts in the 1840s, and the adjacent Huguenot Memorial Museum. The village is a culinary Mecca, hosting several of the country’s finest restaurants.

Boschendal Estate

Set in a verdant valley flanked by the Groot Drakenstein and Simonsberg Mountains, the perennially popular Boschendal Estate was first planted with vines in 1685 and is notable both for its superb Cape Dutch architecture and Mediterranean-style picnics served on the oak-shaded lawn.

Regularly known for its spring wildflowers and sleepy museum, the quaint town of Darling not only has its own wine route but is home to the cabaret venue and supper club Evita se Perron (named after Evita Bezuidenhout, a politicized South African equivalent to Dame Edna Everage created by the cross-dressing satirist Pieter-Dirk Uys).

Spier Estate

The family-friendly Spier Estate might lack the ambiance of its older counterparts, but its excellent range of activities and amenities includes a swimming pool, spa, playground, cheetah outreach program, raptor center, horseback excursions, and two onsite restaurants.

Vergelegen Estate

Founded in 1685 on the slopes of the Helderberg, Vergelegen (roughly translated as ‘far away’) is arguably the loveliest estate in the Winelands thanks to its gracious manor house, octagonal garden, and row of gnarled camphor trees planted circa 1700. The restaurant and award-winning wines are also exceptional.

The Winelands’ largest town, Paarl, is redeemed from mundanity by the pearl-smooth granite dome of the adjacent Paarl (‘Pearl’) Mountain, reached on a footpath through the protea-rich slopes of the nature reserve bordering the town center.

The Taal Monument, built in 1975 to commemorate the centenary of Afrikaans’ recognition as an official language, lies on its lower slopes.

A recommended diversion for devotees of Cape Dutch architecture is modest Tulbagh, whose Church Street has been restored in traditional style following a devastating earthquake in 1970.

Fairview Estate

Ideal for those traveling with children, the unpretentious Fairview Estate combines a laidback farmyard atmosphere with a superb deli serving a fabulous range of handcrafted cheeses and homegrown wines.

Travel Tips for Stellenbosch And The Winelands

• Stellenbosch lies a mere 50km (31mi) inland of Cape Town and 35km (22mi) from Cape Town International Airport, which is served by several international flights and several dozen daily flights from Johannesburg, and domestic flights to all other major centers in South Africa.
• The winelands can easily be visited as a day trip out of Cape Town. For those who prefer an overnight stay, the region is well-endowed with hotels, B&Bs, and backpacker hostels, most of which offer a more rustic feel than their coastal and city counterparts around Cape Town.
• Although self-drive is a straightforward option, the best way to sample a few of the region’s wine estates is on an organized day excursion out of Cape Town, Stellenbosch, or Franschhoek. These usually take in around five different estates and are recommended because the self-drive wine-tasting option is in contravention of both commonsense and the law.
• Opening hours vary, but you can safely assume that any name estate will be open for tasting over 09:00-16:00 Mon-Fri, and most are also open on Saturdays and Sundays.

The 200km (124mi) stretch of coast connecting Mossel Bay to the Storms River Mouth is commonly referred to as the Garden Route in reference to its beguiling diversity of wide sandy beaches, lovely lakes and lagoons, shady evergreen forests, and protea-studded slopes.

Lined with family-friendly beaches and ideally suited to hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts, the region is home to the patchwork Garden Route National Park and a host of protected indigenous forests.

Large terrestrial wildlife is scarce, but the region offers fabulous aquatic and forest bird watching , including striking avian endemics such as Knysna turaco, Yellow-throated warbler, and Olive woodpecker. At the same time, seals, dolphins, and whales are commonly seen from seaside cliffs.

Tsitsikamma

The Tsitsikamma sector of the Garden Route National Park protects a vast tract of indigenous forest along with a series of breathtaking cliffs that rise 180m (591ft) above the breakers below.

Highlights include the thrilling suspension bridge across the Storms River Mouth and the 6km (4mi) Waterfall Trail, which follows the same stretch of rocky wave-battered shore as the legendary five-day Otter Trail.

Bloukrans Bridge

A short distance inland of Tsitsikamma, the 215m (705ft) Bloukrans Bridge bungee jump is reputedly the world’s highest.

Family-friendly Monkeyland is a private sanctuary offering refuge to more than a dozen species of monkeys and lemurs, all rescued from domestic captivity.

The adjacent Birds of Eden is a massive free-flight aviary run through by a 1km (0.6mi) walkway and suspension bridge. A third associated sanctuary, Jukani, is home to rescued lions and various other big cats and smaller carnivores.

Plettenberg Bay

Set on the aptly named Baia Formosa (Beautiful Bay), the perennially popular resort town of Plettenberg Bay boasts one of South Africa’s loveliest and calmest urban beach holiday destinations , along with a great selection of seafood and other restaurants.

Robberg Nature Reserve

Adjacent to Plettenberg Bay, the towering cliffs of the Robberg Nature Reserve, home to large numbers of Cape fur seals, are circumnavigated by a stunning day trail from which dolphins, humpback whales, and the endemic African black oystercatcher are often observed.

The charming town of Knysna, whose Holy Trinity Church might have been transplanted from a sleepy English village, stands on a pretty lagoon hemmed in by a pair of sheer rock faces known as the Knysna Heads.

Several quayside eateries specialize in fresh oysters cultivated in the lagoon and craft beers like those pioneered by the legendary Mitchell’s Brewery.

Despite its sophisticated veneer, Knysna supports a thriving alternative scene whose annual highlight is the Pink Loerie Mardi Gras and Arts Festival, a five-day gay pride event held every April or May.

Sandwiched between a beach and lagoon, the resort village of Wilderness flanks a sector of the Garden Route National Park, whose vast network of freshwater lakes and forested waterways form a true birdwatcher’s paradise .

It can be explored along a network of six easy walking trails, each named for one of the park’s half-dozen kingfisher species, or by canoeing through a stunning forested gorge formed by the Touws River.

Set in the arid Little Karoo, an hour’s drive inland, Oudtshoorn was the thriving center of a lucrative trade in ostrich feathers in the late 19th century.

The CP Nel Museum has good displays on the ostrich trade, while several out-of-town ostrich farms offer travelers the opportunity to learn about, pet, and even ride these bizarre outsized birds.

Cango Caves

In the scenic Swartberg (Black Mountains) north of Oudtshoorn, guided 60-minute trips lead deep underground through the sequence of well-lit labyrinths of the Cango Caves. All manner of unusual limestone formations decorates their chambers.

An extended 90-minute ‘adventure’ tour into Cango Caves entails squeezing and clambering through crevices unsuited to the claustrophobic or seriously overweight.

Mossel Bay is where, on 3 February 1488, Bartolomeu Dias became the first European to set foot on South African soil.

Three years later, it is where a stranded Portuguese navigator left an account of his misfortunes in an old shoe suspended from a milkwood tree that went on to serve as South Africa’s first ‘post office’ for decades.

The post office tree still stands on the grounds of the Bartolomeu Dias Museum, but Mossel Bay is now better known as a base for caged shark dives and boat trips to the aptly named Seal Island.

Practical Advice of the Garden Route

• The main gateway to the Garden Route is George, a well-equipped city whose out-of-town airport is connected to Cape Town and Johannesburg by regularly scheduled flights and has all the usual car rental agencies. It is also possible to drive along the well-maintained 430km (267mi) N2 between Cape Town and George in 4-5 hours.
• The Garden Route is studded with literally hundreds of hotels, beach resorts, and B&Bs, so it’s usually easy to find competitively priced rooms. However, rates rocket sky-high, and booking is typically necessary over the South African Christmas and New Year holidays.

A popular add-on to Kruger National Park trips  but also well worth exploring in its own right, the Panorama Route is a loose circuit of mostly natural attractions associated with the towering cliffs that divide the Highveld around Sabie and Graskop from the Lowveld of the Kruger Park and Mpumalanga’s provincial capital Mbombela (formerly Nelspruit).

The Panorama Route Gods WindowAlthough much of the region is given over to exotic plantations, significant tracts of indigenous forest remain, especially on steep cliffs, as do several areas of grassland studded with proteas and red-hot pokers. The region is notable historically as the site of South Africa’s earliest gold rush, which proved to be short-lived, as far richer seams of gold were discovered soon after in Johannesburg.

Highlights of The Panorama Route

169-hectare Lowveld National Botanical Garden

Well worth a stop if you pass through Mbombela, the 169-hectare Lowveld National Botanical Garden, set on the confluence of the Nels and Crocodile Rivers, is of equal interest to botanists and ornithologists.

The rainforest section protects a vast collection of prehistoric cycads. At the same time, a bird checklist of 250 species includes Purple-crested turaco, Half-collared kingfisher, and African finfoot, making it a perfect destination for bird lovers .

Mac-Mac Falls

The 65m (213ft) Mac-Mac Falls is named after a pair of Scottish prospectors who camped above it in the gold rush era. You can swim in the pool at the base of the falls or continue by car for 2km (1,24mi) to the start of a 4km (2,5mi) day trail to the little-visited Forest Falls.

Bourke’s Luck

Situated at the confluence of the Blyde (Joy) and Treur (Sorrow) rivers, the bizarre riverine formation known as Bourke’s Luck comprises a series of deep cylindrical potholes created entirely by water erosion and can be explored along a short network of paths and footbridges.

Blyde River Canyon

The 25km (16mi) long and 1.4km (4,593ft) deep red sandstone Blyde River Canyon, protected within a 270km2 (104 square mile) nature reserve, is one of the largest and most spectacular features of its type on Earth.

It offers much to keen walkers and wildlife lovers. The most rewarding of several day hikes is the Kadishi Trail, which leads through a lush indigenous evergreen forest (inhabited by Vervet and Blue monkeys) to an impressive stalactite-like Tufa waterfall.

The Panorama Route_Blyde River CanyonOne of the most scenic spots in South Africa, the Three Rondavels viewpoint gazes across the vast Blyde River Canyon – the river itself a blue ribbon hundreds of meters below – to a striking trio of outcrops that recall traditional thatched rondavels (round houses).

Sudwala Caves

The dank, cool chambers of the Sudwala Caves support some incredible limestone drip formations. They can be explored on regular guided tours that lead about 500m (1,640ft) deep into the underground labyrinth.

Pilgrim’s Rest

Pilgrim’s Rest mushroomed into life in 1873 following the discovery of a large deposit of alluvial gold. The boomtown’s heyday was short-lived, but it was later restored as a living museum evoking the gold rush era.

Points of interest include the Anglican Church (built in 1884), the Methodist Church (1911), Catholic Church (1928), Old Police Station (1902), and the hilltop cemetery whose graves all point in the same direction, the one exception being an anonymous Robber’s Grave.

God’s Window

The finest of several viewpoints offering views along the R532, God’s Window provides a splendid view over the edge of the escarpment to the expansive Lowveld more than 1,000m (3,281ft) below. However, its impact depends on very clear weather.

Lisbon Falls

The tallest single-drop waterfall in the region, the twin-stream Lisbon Falls plunges over a 90m (295ft) stone amphitheater whose base is accessible via a steep footpath.

Travel Tips for The Panorama Route

• The primary air gateway to Mpumalanga is Kruger-Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA), which stands about 25km (16mi) northeast of Mbombela off the R40 to White River. It is connected to Gauteng’s OR Tambo International Airport by several scheduled flights daily. There are also direct flights from Durban and Cape Town, and several car rental companies are represented there.
• It may be more affordable for couples or families to rent a car out of Gauteng and drive, following the N4 east from Pretoria to Mbombela or the N12 from Johannesburg/OR Tambo to connect with the N4 at eMalahleni (formerly Witbank). The drive takes 3-5 hours, depending on your ultimate destination.
• Self-drivers could visit most sites along the Panorama Route in one day, but two would be better. A good variety of hotels and lodges are available in Mbombela and smaller towns such as Hazyview, Sabie, and Graskop.

Collectively protecting around two-thirds of South Africa’s phenomenal coastline, the country’s two most southerly provinces also incorporate several of its oldest and most characterful settlements.

The main regional travel hub (and administrative capital of the Western Cape) is the city of Cape Town , which boasts an incomparable setting on the Atlantic coastline below the slopes of majestic Table Mountain.

For nature lovers, the adjacent Cape Peninsula stands at the core of the world’s smallest and most botanically diverse floral kingdom.

The region supports a wealth of endemic plants and animals, ranging from the beautiful King Protea to the endangered Cape mountain zebra and striking Cape sugarbird.

A Cape Town Holiday is an all-in-one experience if you like nature, culture, and history. In Cape Town and the Eastern Cape, you can enjoy a beach holiday and a foodie holiday. (P.S. If you’re looking for affordable Western Cape or Eastern Cape Accommodation Specials , we’ve got some great travel deals for you.)

Further afield, some of the world’s finest and most scenic wine estates are concentrated around the historic towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.

The clifftop resort town of Hermanus offers the world’s best land-based whale-watching , while the Garden Route is named for its lush vistas of scenic lagoons and beaches framed by tall mountains and evergreen forests.

Storms River MouthThe garden route runs into the Eastern Cape , a province less popular with international tourists than its western counterpart but almost as rich in attractions.

These range from the idyllic Wild Coast and surfing scene at Jeffrey’s Bay to the malaria-free Big Five game-viewing on offer in the Addo Elephant National Park and the National Arts Festival held in Grahamstown every July.

Highlights of the Western And Eastern Cape

One of the world’s most scenic and culturally rewarding cities, Cape Town is the gateway to any number of fine swimming beaches for a beach holiday , as well as a magnificent mountainous peninsula that terminates at the sheer wave-battered cliffs of Cape Point .

Cape Winelands

A perennially popular day or overnight excursion out of Cape Town runs inland to the Cape Winelands, where dozens of historic wine estates offer tasting sessions in characterful Cape Dutch buildings shadowed by spectacular mountain ranges such as the Simonsberg and Groot Drakenstein.

Visiting the Cape winelands can be included in your South African holiday itinerary if you love historic buildings and wine.

Garden Route

Stretching for 200km (124mi) between Mossel Bay and the dramatic Storms River mouth, the Garden Route is lined with family-friendly Indian Ocean beaches, making it the perfect destination for a beach holiday .

The Garden Route’s plethora of lakes, forests, and mountains – many protected in the patchwork Garden Route National Park – offer rich pickings to hikers, birdwatchers , and other outdoor enthusiasts.

Set on the cliffs above Walker Bay 120km (75mi) southeast of Cape Town, Hermanus is an attractive town of cobbled alleys and relaxed seafood restaurants best known for offering some of the world’s finest land-based whale-watching .

The season runs from June to November and peaks over September-October, when around 100 Southern Right whales and a smaller number of Humpback whales converge to calve.

Hermanus makes for a perfect beach holiday as it has several small swimming beaches to pick from, and its cliff path is ideal for an afternoon walk.

Agulhas National Park

Protected within the recently created Agulhas National Park , the rocky headland known to the Portuguese as Cabo das Agulhas (Cape of Needles) is not only the southernmost tip of Africa but also forms the semi-official divide between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

More than 250 ships fell victim to the jagged offshore rocks for which Agulhas was named before the construction of what is now the country’s second-oldest lighthouse.

If you can endure the cold water, the beaches at Agulhas are also perfect for a beach vacation with your family .

West Coast National Park

The West Coast National Park north of Cape Town is centered on the vast Langebaan Lagoon, a globally significant site for marine birds, ten species of which breed there colonially.

It is also renowned for its multi-hued spring wildflower displays, which usually take place in August-September. It’s a perfect holiday destination if you love birdwatching and flowers.

Eastern Cape’s Wild Coast is studded with scenic gems, ranging from arty Port St Johns on the Mzimvubu River mouth to the sea-eroded rock formation known as Hole in the Wall or EsiKhaleni (isiXhosa for ‘Place of Noise’).

It is also the birthplace of Nelson Mandela, whose three-hut maternal home is preserved as a museum annex in the village of Qunu.

Grahamstown

Founded by the British immigrants known as the 1820 settlers, the well-groomed university town of Grahamstown is studded with Georgian and Victorian buildings, including an astonishing 40 churches.

The 11-day National Arts Festival held here in early July is the premier event of its type in South Africa, hosting everything from Shakespearean plays to live African music and a multitude of street artists. It’s the perfect vacation if you love the arts and history.

Addo Elephant National Park

Created in 1931 to protect the region’s last 11 surviving elephants, Addo Elephant National Park is now one of the country’s top malaria-free Big Five safari destinations .

Roughly 500 elephants roam the park alongside naturally occurring populations of leopards, buffalo, and greater kudu, and reintroduced Black rhinos, lions, and spotted hyenas.

While Addo is ideal for self-drivers, several neighboring private establishments offer guided luxury safaris in game lodges comparable to those in Sabi Sands .

Blue Flag Beach

The attractive Blue Flag beach at Jeffreys Bay is dominated by what many surfers regard to be the world’s longest and most perfect right-hand break: supertubes.

Scintillating surfing aside, dolphins are frequently observed from the unspoiled coastline protected within the nearby Cape St Francis Nature Reserve. Blue Flag Beach is the perfect beach holiday destination for an adventurous traveler.

Travel Tips for the Western And Eastern Cape

• The main air gateway to the region is Cape Town International Airport (CTIA), which lies about 20km (12mi) east of the city center and 35km (22mi) from Stellenbosch in the Cape Winelands. An increasing number of international flights land at CTIA, and it’s also serviced by dozens of flights daily from Johannesburg and domestic flights to all other major centers in South Africa.
• Other important airports can be found at George (the largest town on the Garden Route), Port Elizabeth (capital of the Eastern Cape), and East London (gateway to the Wild Coast). Depending on how long you have to spare and where you want to visit, an excellent way to explore the region independently would be to fly into Cape Town, self-drive east as far as George, Port Elizabeth, or East London, then fly back out.
• It’s also possible to continue driving northeast of East London via the Wild Coast and southern KwaZulu-Natal to Durban.
• As South Africa’s most traveled province, the Western Cape offers an immense selection of overnight options, ranging from five-star city and boutique hotels to backpacker hostels and B&Bs. Overnight options in the Eastern Cape are also profuse and varied. Although it’s usually straightforward enough to find a competitively priced room, rates boom, and booking is usually necessary over the South African Christmas and New Year school holidays.

Africa’s largest protected montane wilderness – the 2,500km2 (965 square mile) uKhahlamba-Drakensberg National Park extends for a full 200km (124mi) along the border of KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho and incorporates several dozen peaks with the highest rising to 3,000m (9,843ft).

Its name combines the isiZulu uKhahlamba (“Barrier of Spears”) with the Afrikaans Drakensberg (“Dragon’s Mountain”). South Africa’s ultimate destination for high-altitude day walks and overnight hikes, the park is a hub of botanical diversity. Some 15% of its 2,500 identified plant species occur nowhere else globally.

Highlights of UKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park

Large wildlife includes baboon, eland, bushbuck, mountain reedbuck, Grey rhebok, and Grey duiker, as well as a 300-strong bird checklist that is strong on cliff-associated raptors such as Verreaux’s eagle, Jackal buzzard, Cape vulture and lammergeyer. It also includes 20 species whose range is restricted to South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland, making for a perfect birding holiday.

An important repository of prehistoric rock art, uKhahlamba-Drakensberg contains at least 500 painted caves and shelters.

This is where monochrome human figures and finely shaded polychrome elands share wall space with bizarre half-human-half-animal creatures known as therianthropes.

Executed between 3,000 and 200 years ago, the art depicts the ritual trances experienced by shamans and their complex relationships with revered animals.

uKhahlamba-Drakensberg’s combination of rich biodiversity and prolific rock art has gained it recognition as one of only 35 ‘mixed’ natural and cultural sites on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Royal Natal National Park

No single feature encapsulates the mountains’ majesty quite like the Amphitheatre, a 5km (3mi) long, kilometer-high wall of burnished sandstone that dominates the Royal Natal National Park skyline.

A must for keen walkers is the half-day Gorge Trail, which follows a pretty riverine gorge past natural swimming pools to the 949m (3,114ft) tall five-stage Tugela Falls.

A feasible day hike from Royal Natal is the Witsieshoek’s Chain Ladder Trail. It’s the easiest hike to the top of the escarpment and offers sensational views from the lip of the Tugela Falls as it crashes over the Amphitheatre.

The ideal goal for those wanting to enjoy splendid submontane scenery without breaking a sweat, Champagne Valley is overlooked by a trio of distinctive high peaks – domed Champagne Castle, fang-like Monk’s Cowl, and freestanding Cathkin Peak. It also houses a great selection of golf courses, stables, shopping malls, craft factories, and the like.

Giant’s Castle Game Reserve

Named after a 3,314m (10,873ft) basaltic protrusion that stands at the convergence of the mountains’ northern and southern escarpments, Giant’s Castle Game Reserve is renowned for its rock art, in particular the hundreds of superb images that adorn Main Cave. It’s also an excellent place to see the stately eland antelope and other large mammals and raptors.

Didima Rock Art Center

Didima Rock Art Center contains life-size reproductions of several inaccessible rock art panels set higher in the mountains. Only 45 minutes’ walk away, the Lower Mushroom Cave is decorated with a wonderful scene of stick men evading a marauding leopard.

Cathedral Peak

The striking 3,005m (9,859ft) Cathedral Peak towers above the main escarpment like a squatted version of the cow horn alluded to in its traditional name Mponjwane. It’s an attainable goal for a tough full-day guided hike from Didima.

The undulating slopes of Kamberg support fair numbers of eland and mountain reedbuck.

A three-hour round hike leads to the Game Pass Shelter, a superbly preserved rock art panel dubbed the Rosetta Stone in double reference to its significance in helping scholars ‘crack the code’ of shamanistic symbolism that underlies the prehistoric paintings.

Barriers of Spears

The only motorable track to breach the Barriers of Spears, rocky 4×4-only Sani Pass follows a series of switchbacks uphill to a remote Lesotho border post (passport required) set at a windswept altitude of 2,865m (9,400ft).

Here, the tussocky grass, mossy boulders, and clumped heather of the Alpine zone acquire an ethereal beauty in the soft light of dusk or dawn. It’s also the most accessible place to see high-altitude endemic birds, such as the Drakensberg rockjumper and Mountain pipit.

Practical Advice for UKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park

• The rugged topography of uKhahlamba-Drakensberg divides the park into a dozen-odd different sectors, each effectively a self-contained destination with its own attractions and access roads. Most visitors will only have time to explore one or two. As a guideline, Royal Natal ranks highest for scenic impact, Champagne Valley for upmarket tourist development, Giant’s Castle and Kamberg for accessible rock art, and Sani Pass for birdwatching and 4×4 enthusiasts.
• uKhahlamba-Drakensberg is geared best toward active self-drive travelers willing to explore its slopes on foot. Bank on at least up to four hours to cover the 350km (217mi) from Gauteng to Royal Natal Park (in the north) or two hours from Durban to Himeville (near the base of Sani Pass).
• For ecological reasons, no hotels exist within the park. Still, the park authorities operate rest camps at several entrance gates. There are private hotels in Champagne Valley and in the vicinity of Royal Natal, Cathedral Peak, and Sani Pass.
• uKhahlamba-Drakensberg’s non-nannyish management policy stands in contrast to the strict regulations and hefty costs associated with other iconic African mountains. Simply pitch up at any entrance gate, hand over the nominal entrance fee, sign into the mountain register, and off you go.
• Hikers on the upper slopes frequently get trapped in stormy or misty conditions, so dress suitably and be prepared to turn back or stay put as weather conditions dictate.

Travel with Confidence

With over 20 years of experience, our team will help you tailor your itinerary to your perfect adventure., 24/7 support, personalised, popular south africa safaris.

Explore the best of South Africa’s safari adventures with our curated selection of popular tours. Whether you’re seeking the iconic Big Five in Kruger National Park, luxurious escapes in Cape Town, or diverse wildlife experiences across the country, our range of safaris offers something for every traveller. Discover your perfect South African safari today!

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When is the best month to travel to south africa.

South Africa safaris are a year round experience, but the best time to travel to South Africa depends on what you want to see and do. The dry winter months from May to September are ideal for wildlife viewing as animals congregate around water sources, making them easier to spot. For birdwatching and lush landscapes, the summer months from November to March are perfect. Whether you’re looking to witness the Great Migration, enjoy the Cape’s floral beauty, or explore vibrant cities, each season brings its unique charm.

• South Africa in January
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Uncover the magic of a safari in South Africa with experiences that cater to every traveller’s dream. Whether it’s witnessing the majestic Big Five on safari, enjoying a tranquil birding adventure, or embarking on a fun-filled family safari, South Africa has it all. Revel in the beauty of beach holidays, savor romantic honeymoons, or explore the wild on horseback safaris. Each adventure promises unforgettable moments and a deeper connection to the stunning landscapes and rich wildlife of South Africa. Discover the perfect experience for you.

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Hear from our guests who have experienced the wonders of South Africa. Their stories of exceptional trip planning, life-changing adventures, and memorable experiences reflect the magic of a safari in South Africa.

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Our recommended activities in south africa.

South Africa is a land of diverse experiences, offering everything from thrilling safaris to relaxing beach holidays. Whether you’re an adventure seeker, a nature lover, or a culture enthusiast, South Africa safaris have something for everyone. Discover the beauty of its national parks, the richness of its vineyards, the excitement of its coastal activities, and the depth of its historical sites to make your visit unforgettable.

• Horseback Riding
• Hot Air Balloon Rides
• Mountain Biking
• Night Drives
• Visiting Local Villages

Going for a bush walk in a South African game reserve is an amazing experience that allows you to get up close and personal with nature.

Some of the best destinations for a bush walk include Gondwana Game Reserve , Kambaku @ Sea on the Garden Route, Buffelsdrift Game Lodge at Oudtshoorn, and self-catering AfriCamps at Ingwe near Plettenberg Bay.

On a bush walk, you’ll see a variety of South African wildlife, such as elephants, giraffes, zebras, and more.

A bush walk is different from a game drive because it allows you to experience nature in a more intimate way. You’ll be able to see things that you wouldn’t be able to see from a vehicle.

Some of the highlights of going on a bush walk on your South Africa tour include examining the real details of the bush, from the Big Five right down to the insects that form such an important part of the ecosystem.

South African grasslands have 30 species per square kilometre, greater than the biodiversity of rainforests.

It’s entirely safe to go on a bush walk on your safari as long as you follow the instructions of your guide and take the necessary precautions.

It’s important to remember that you are in the wild and there are risks involved, but with proper guidance and preparation, you can have a safe and enjoyable experience.

Horseback riding safaris are a thrilling way to experience the astounding beauty of South African wildlife and landscapes.

South African tours range from short stints through the bush for inexperienced riders to multi-day excursions for the more experienced, where you’ll camp at fly tents overnight before continuing your adventure the next day.

The advantage of going horseback riding on safari is that wildlife doesn’t see humans on horseback as a threat, so you can often get closer to the animals than you would on foot or in a safari vehicle.

Two of the best locations for horseback safaris on your South African trip include the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve in Limpopo Province and the Kruger National Park .

Taking a hot air balloon flight on a South African holiday  is an unforgettable experience that offers breathtaking views of the country’s stunning landscapes and wildlife.

You can choose from a variety of hot air balloon rides that offer different experiences.

For example, you can combine a hot air balloon ride with a Big Five Safari for an even more immersive experience on your South African adventure.

This option allows you to see South Africa’s diverse wildlife from a unique perspective.

If you’re looking for a more classic experience, you can try a sunrise hot air balloon flight over the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site or the Magaliesberg mountain range1.

This option offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape and is perfect for those who want to enjoy a peaceful and serene flight.

The cost of hot air balloon rides varies depending on the type of ride you choose and the location.

South Africa is a great place for mountain biking adventures.

Some of the most popular mountain bike holiday destinations in South Africa are Cape Town and Stellenbosch biking tour areas , Knysna and the Garden Route, Sabie in Mpumalanga and the Drakensberg in Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Many of these destinations have tour operators and offer guided and self-guided mountain bike tours.

Get in the saddle and explore some of the gorgeous landscapes that South Africa has to offer as you navigate spotless trails and winding jeep tracks.

There’s something for everyone, from challenging singletrack to more moderate dirt roads.

Remember to take enough water and snacks so that you can hydrate often and keep yourself fuelled on your mountain biking adventure.

This is your chance to see Africa’s wonderful nocturnal life. Unlike daytime activities, during night drive safaris, the chances of spotting nightjars, porcupines, scorpions, chameleons, and bush babies are high.

Of course, it’s also an excellent opportunity to see leopards, lions, civets, and genet or perhaps even a pangolin or aardvark. The trick is to search for their glinting eyes in the vehicle’s headlights or the spotlights shining across the bush.

For safety and practical reasons, many African parks and reserves still don’t allow visitors to drive around the park after the sun has set.

Most of the time, the main parks like the Kruger National Park , Serengeti and Masai Mara are reluctant to conduct night drives. But the private concessions and conservancies surrounding these famous reserves do allow and support game drives at night.

Night drives are incredibly rewarding, and although it’s a bit more tricky to take good pictures, it’s more about the unique animals you’ll get to see and the nighttime sounds you hear.

These aren’t things you’ll ever experience during a daytime game drive. It really completes an authentic safari experience.

What can be better than peering up at the Milky Way on your South African trip to marvel at the unbridled beauty of the cosmos?

Thanks to the low-to-no light pollution levels in at game parks and national reserves, you can witness shooting stars and celestial bodies in all their glory.

Some of the top destinations for stargazing on your South African trip include Tankwa Karoo National Park , |Ai|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

All offer stunning and uninterrupted views of the night sky.

South Africa has a lot of cultural heritage and visiting local villages can be an enriching experience on your South African trip .

These villages offer a unique opportunity to learn about South African tribal culture , history, and traditions while enjoying traditional food and entertainment.

There is no single tribal culture in South Africa. Even the Zulu people, the largest ethnic group in the country, are diverse in their beliefs and customs.

With such an abundance of cultures to explore, there’s no end of opportunities to immerse yourself in local culture and discover new ways of life.

In addition to organized tours, there are many villages throughout South Africa that welcome visitors.

Some popular villages include Lesedi Cultural Village in Gauteng province, Shangana Cultural Village near Kruger National Park, Khaya La Bantu Cultural Village in Cape Town, Basotho Cultural Village in Free State province , and Botshabelo Mission Station in Mpumalanga province.

See South Africa in Your Comfort

South Africa caters to all travel styles, offering a range of accommodation and transport options to suit your preferences. From luxurious lodges and boutique hotels to budget-friendly guesthouses and self-catering apartments, you’ll find the perfect place to stay. Travel at your own pace with self-drive options, guided tours, or private transfers, ensuring a comfortable and personalised experience throughout your journey.

• Affordable Safari in South Africa
• Budget Safari Holiday in South Africa
• Luxury Safari Holiday in South Africa

An excellent option for those who want to travel in reasonable comfort while keeping costs down is to self-drive some or all of the time.

Rental cars can be arranged in all major centers (as well as at all airports), and roads are generally up to international standards, though potholes are increasingly prevalent in smaller towns.

The Kruger National Park ranks as Africa’s ultimate DIY self-drive safari destination, thanks to its good network of (mostly surfaced) roads and well-equipped and affordable rest camps.

Still, similar facilities are available at most major public reserves, including iSimangaliso, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, Pilanesberg, uKhahlamba-Drakensberg, and any number of less publicized places.

South Africa is a destination that caters to all budgets, offering something special that is sure to meet your expectations. The level of three or even four-star graded establishments is generally higher than that of European standards, for example.

Therefore you’re able to travel on a more restricted budget.

South Africa is well-suited to budget travelers . There are backpacker hostels, affordable B&Bs, and self-catering options in all major centers. There are also very affordable and well-equipped campsites, usually with hot water in the ablution blocks and electricity.

For transport, the perennially popular hop-on, hop-off Baz Bus connects Johannesburg to Cape Town via the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg, Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth, and the Garden Route.

Excellent and affordable coach services run along with these and most other trunk routes.

Most backpacker hostels offer or can arrange various excursions – from half-day, wine-tasting trips out of Cape Town to multi-night Kruger safaris out of Johannesburg – at prices that cater to their intended clientele.

Although restaurants in South Africa are very affordable by international standards, the cost of eating out three times a day will add up, and you can save a lot of money by self-catering and buying ingredients and drinks directly from supermarkets and liquor stores.

Low Season Rates

You’ll be able to take advantage of some very generous low-season pricing offered by several safari lodges depending on the time of year you travel for your budget safari holiday.

Low season rates in South Africa are available from the beginning of May to the end of September when the country is experiencing winter.

Surprisingly, this is not the rainy season for Kruger National Park and many other private reserves in South Africa.

Instead, the rainy weather in Cape Town is to blame for the low season prices all around South Africa!

This is excellent news for wildlife enthusiasts, as these are the best months to go on a budget safari holiday. May through September is the dry season for Kruger and Madikwe .

The bush isn’t as lush and green at this time of year, allowing for greater game viewing, and the animals are more dependent on waterholes and rivers because it’s the dry season.

This also makes it easier to locate the game in the winter. This is the perfect place to go if you want to see a variety of African animals collected around a waterhole early in the morning before the heat of the day sets in on your budget safari holiday in South Africa .

Budget Safari Lodges

South Africa, in particular, has a wide choice of less expensive or budget private lodges . While they aren’t exactly budget, they provide the same game-viewing experiences as their more expensive neighbors at a fraction of the cost.

You can’t go wrong with one of these budget lodges if you’re going to South Africa primarily for the animals. While the accommodations aren’t quite as polished and elegant, and the food isn’t quite as sumptuous, they offer fantastic value for money and world-class safaris.

A must-for for anybody with a taste for bush luxury is a stay at one of the small and exclusive camps or lodges set in private reserves or concessions such as the Kruger concessions , Sabi Sand , Madikwe , Phinda , and the vicinity of Addo Elephant National Park .

Typically these lodges combine chic Africa-themed accommodation with world-class cuisine, fine wines, attentive staff, and, most importantly, thrilling game drives led by expert guides in open-sided 4x4s.

A three-night stay at any given lodge or camp is probably ideal for a luxury South Africa tour .

Elsewhere, Cape Town , the nearby Cape Winelands , and Garden Route are studded with small but superb boutique hotels that combine five-star service and amenities with individualistic decor.

The most comfortable way to travel on a luxury holiday would be to fly between major centers and then arrange airport pick-ups and drop-offs and any required outings with the lodge or hotel you book into.

South Africa is a real treat when it comes to wining and dining on a generous budget. Any good tour operator can put together a package of this sort for those who don’t want the bother of arranging it themselves.

For more luxury safaris in Africa , have a look at the options we offer.

Holiday Styles and Options in South Africa

Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, South Africa offers a variety of holiday styles to choose from. Enjoy thrilling safaris, serene beach getaways, vibrant city breaks, or tranquil countryside retreats. Customize your trip to include activities like hiking, wine tasting, historical tours, and wildlife viewing, ensuring a diverse and enriching travel experience tailored to your interests.

• A Photography Safari in SA
• A Relaxed Safari Holiday in South Africa
• An Active Holiday in South Africa
• An Adventure Holiday in South Africa
• Beach and Bush Safari Holidays in South Africa
• Big Five Safari Holidays in South Africa
• Birding Safari Holidays in South Africa
• City and Bush Safari Holidays in South Africa
• Foodie Holidays in South Africa
• Malaria Free Safari Holidays in South Africa
• Walking Safari Holidays in South Africa

South Africa is a highly photogenic country , especially in the summer months (November-April) when the air is least hazy, and landscapes are at their greenest.

The coastline and mountains all make great subjects. Still, the country’s most popular venues for photography are its game reserves, with their magnificent array of wildlife, which tends to be better for photographing during a winter safari.

For dedicated photographers, it’s worth weighing off the pros and cons of a guided safari in a private reserve such as Sabi Sand or a self-drive trip in a public reserve such as Kruger .

Private reserves are generally much more costly to visit, and guides tend to focus strongly on the Big Five rather than less glamorous but equally photogenic subjects such as birds and antelope.

In addition, people with long lenses may find the seating arrangements in the open 4x4s rather cramped unless they arrange private game drive safaris in advance.

On the other hand, most private reserves offer far superior sightings of lions, leopards, and other photogenic predators that you can hope for in public reserves.

Also, the ability to drive off-road means you can stick with the subject for longer and usually get far closer to it and line up better.

First-time safari goers should also be aware that wildlife photography requires faster and higher-magnification lenses than most other subjects.

The ideal lens combination would be a zoom that goes up to 300 together with a fixed 400, with a fastest f-stop of 4 or better, 2.8. A beanbag to rest your lens and minimize camera shake risk is a vital accessory.

To save weight, you can travel with an empty bean bag and fill it up with rice or something similar upon arrival at your destination.

South Africa’s lovely coastline offers ideal holiday conditions for chilling out, catching a tan, taking the occasional dip, and relaxing over a paperback or magazine.

Most coastal resorts also boast a fine array of restaurants where seafood and other cuisines can be enjoyed, along with fine homegrown white and red wines.

If you want to punctuate lazy seaside days with the occasional gentle stroll, you’re probably best heading for one of the rural or suburban beaches that line the Garden Route and Eastern Cape coast .

For those who prefer a more overtly resort-like setting, the standout region is Durban and the south KwaZulu-Natal coast .

At the same time, Cape Town and the adjacent peninsula are ideal for those wanting the modern amenities and varied cultural life associated with a world-class city.

People seeking a relaxed holiday might prefer to limit their itinerary to a couple of venues, spending up to a week at each to minimize day-to-day travel and really settle in.

With its fine year-round climate and varied landscapes, South Africa is custom-made for a holiday for active travelers. Indeed, there are a few parts of the country where a good selection of fun activities can be integrated into a regular holiday.

A lovely area for active travelers is the Garden Route , where low-key physical activities range from canoeing along the Touws River and several excellent mountain biking routes to any number of coastal and montane day walks ranging from 5km (3mi) to 20km (12mi) in duration.

None finer, perhaps, is the cliff-top trail through Robberg Nature Reserve.

The Garden Route is also an excellent area for swimming, surfing, sea-kayaking, and other marine activities, perfect for an active holiday.

Cape Town and its environs offer a similar array of activities to the Garden Route . These range from cliff walks in the whale-watching capital of Hermanus or on the stunning Cape of Good Hope to a steep but scenic day hike from the City Bowl to the summit of Table Mountain .

Another popular walking destination is the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg . Casual ramblers can easily explore the foothills of this stunning range, but the upper slopes are unpredictable in terms of weather. They are recommended only to experienced and adequately equipped hikers.

Generally speaking, game viewing is a relatively inactive pursuit since most reserves understandably forbid unguided walking.

Overnight guided wilderness trails are available in the Kruger National Park and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, but these must usually be booked well in advance.

Most private reserves will also offer guided walks as an alternative to game drives, but these tend to focus on birds, insects, and other small wildlife rather than seeking out the Big Five .

Unguided nature trails are typically free and up to 10km (6,2mi) in duration. They can be found in many minor reserves that lack dangerous wildlife.

South Africa has a strong culture of recreational running and cycling. Mountain bikes can easily be hired at most destinations with good cycling possibilities, and you can ask local running clubs about park runs, time trials, and other good local routes.

Bring suitable footwear and a few pairs of thick socks if you plan on walking a lot. A walking stick can be useful in hilly areas or on trails with loose rocks underfoot. Binoculars will greatly enhance bird and other wildlife sightings on the trail on your walking safari.

South Africa is a brilliant destination for adventurous travellers. Hard to beat, in fact.

Depending on your tastes, interests, age and level of fitness, activities on offer range from week-long rafting excursions along the Orange River as it follows the border between the Northern Cape and neighbouring Namibia, to multi-day coastal hikes such as the world-famous Otter or Oystercatcher Trails.

Mountain biking in the remote montane heights of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg is a highlight, as is an overnight guided wilderness trail looking for wildlife and camping wild in Big Five reserves such as the Kruger National Park or Hluhluwe-Imfolozi.

Whilst the Garden Route is renowned for its paragliding courses.

Other popular one-off adventure activities range from caged shark-diving in Mossel Bay and diving the coral reefs off Sodwana Bay to the world’s highest bungee jump (215m) off the Bloukrans Bridge and abseiling off Cape Town’s Table Mountain.

Longer adventure activities such as hiking trails, rafting trips and wilderness trails should definitely be booked well in advance in order to build your itinerary around the dates.

Discovering South Africa’s landscape

Adventure travellers should pack sensible outdoor clothing as well as waterproof clothing (trousers and jackets) and appropriate walking shoes or hiking boots, It would also be advisable to check if any specialist clothing and gear is required to bring from home.

Day activities such as bungee jumps or caged dives can usually be arranged on the spot, or with a day or two’s warning. Probably the best part of South Africa for tackling a wide array of adventure activities on to your itinerary is in Cape Town and the Garden Route .

South Africa is an ideal location for a beach trip and bush safari. Time permitting, it’s best to split the ‘bush’ and ‘beach’ components. For a bush safari, try the Kruger National Park and associated private reserves for a great chance of ticking off the Big Five or almost-as-good but malaria-free Madikwe and Pilanesberg Game reserves northwest of Johannesburg.

For beach holidays , it would be hard to beat the Garden Route (best in the southern summer) or KwaZulu-Nata l south coast (good in winter too). For a shorter best-of-both-worlds holiday, there’s no better candidate than the iSimangaliso Wetland Park , with a night or two’s diversion to nearby Hluhluwe-Imfolozi or Phinda .

For many first-time visitors to Africa, a top priority is ticking off the so-called Big Five : lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and rhino. South Africa offers many excellent opportunities to do this. It’s the easiest place in Africa to see rhinos since it supports more than 90% of the continental population of these endangered creatures. It’s also the African country best suited to self-drive safaris.

South Africa’s top Big Five destination is the Kruger National Park , extending over 20,000km2 (7,722 square miles) to form one of Africa’s largest and most iconic safari destinations.

Kruger is home to around 40,000 buffalo, 13,000 elephants, 1,600 lions, 2,000 leopards, 7,000 white rhinos, and 400 Black rhinos. For those who can afford it, great alternatives to Kruger are the exclusive private reserves that border it and ‘concession lodges’ that occupy enclaves within it.

South Africa boasts many other world-class safari destinations, including the malaria-free Pilanesberg and Madikwe Game Reserves northwest of Johannesburg.

The narina trogon in iSimangaliso Wetland Park

South Africa is a superb birding safari destination . The national checklist comprises around 840 species, and includes the world’s largest bird (ostrich) and what is reputedly its bulkiest flying species (kori bustard) along with a dazzling variety of birds of prey, ranging from the largely terrestrial Secretary bird to the charismatic African fish eagle and macabre Lappet-faced vulture.

It also supports a dazzling array of colourful bee-eaters, turacos, parrots, rollers, and waxbills.

There are several sites in South Africa where a moderately skilled birder could tick 100 species in a day. Foremost among these – and an excellent overall introduction to African birds – is the Kruger National Park , though some would argue that iSimangaliso Wetland Park outranks it. But rewarding birdwatching can be enjoyed anywhere in South Africa, even in the suburbs of Cape Town and Johannesburg .

Of particular interest to visiting birders are the 35 species more-or-less endemic to South Africa (some have a range extending into the small bordering kingdoms of Swaziland and Lesotho) and several other near-endemics with a range that extends a small way into Namibia and/or Botswana. Good sites for these localized species include the Western Cape , the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg , and Pilanesberg/Madikwe .

Avian variety is most significant in the southern summer (November-March) when several resident species assume a colorful breeding plumage and dozens of migrant species arrive from Europe or elsewhere in Africa. Several good regional field guides can be bought at any decent bookshop in South Africa.

No other country matches South Africa when it comes to offering a world-class city and bush holiday. Cape Town is the most beautiful city in Africa and arguably the best equipped for urban attractions such as museums, live music, restaurants, and wine-tasting venues. A Cape Town holiday also offers fabulous beaches and the incomparable Table Mountain.

It can be twinned with the Kruger National Park (and/or associated private reserves) for a Big Five safari to match anything else Africa has to offer (though those seeking a malaria-free safari experience might prefer Madikwe and Pilanesberg Game Reserves northwest of Johannesburg).

South Africa’s larger cities have thriving culinary scenes, and visitors will find the quality very high and prices very affordable by international standards.

A celebrated facet of South Africa’s cuisine is the superb variety of good, affordable wine produced mainly in the Western Cape. Cape Town and the nearby Cape Winelands are rightly renowned as the culinary capitals of South Africa.

They would form the obvious starting point of any foodie holiday in the country.

Seafood is particularly recommended anywhere along the coast, while excellent venison can be enjoyed in the vicinity of the Kruger National Park .

Oudtshoorn in the Karoo region is famed for its lean, free-range ostrich meat (and eggs). At the same time, Durban excels in Indian restaurants, the latter usually offering an excellent vegetarian selection.

Don’t forget to try some of the several dishes that are more-or-less unique to South Africa on your South African vacation. ‘Cape Malay’ specialties include sosatie kebabs (a variation on the Indonesian satay) and a fruit-sweetened baked mincemeat dish called bobotie.

Spicy boerewors ‘farmer’s sausage’ is an integral component of any casual braai (barbecue) countrywide, while biltong is an air-dried strip of salted and spiced beef or game meat reminiscent of American jerky.

Although malaria is a major travel concern in much of Africa, it has a minimal presence in South Africa. Indeed, more than 95% of South Africa, and most of its major attractions, are entirely free of malaria .

There are only two exceptions. The eastern Lowveld of Mpumalanga and Limpopo, which includes the Kruger National Park and associated private reserves, is classified as moderate risk.

Then there is coastal KwaZulu-Natal , north of Richards Bay, which is regarded as low risk and includes iSimangaliso Wetland Park and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve.

Transmission in these areas is more or less confined to the rainy summer months. Most other safari destinations in South Africa are malaria-free, notably Madikwe and Pilanesberg Game Reserves and Addo Elephant National Park .

There is also no malaria in other popular areas such as Cape Town, the Cape Winelands , the Garden Route , Durban, the KwaZulu-Natal south coast, the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg, and Johannesburg.

South Africa is an excellent destination for keen walkers. Hundreds if not thousands of day trails have been marked out countrywide, many within easy reach of cities such as Cape Town or Durban.

South Africa also supports a superb network of overnight hiking trails ranging from easy one-night excursions to more arduous five- or seven-night mountain treks.

The Garden Route is particularly well suited to walkers. It supports any number of coastal and montane day walks ranging from 5km (3,1mi) to 20km (12mi) in duration – none finer perhaps than the clifftop trail through Robberg Nature Reserve.

South Africa’s ultimate walking destination is the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg , which offers opportunities for both casual ramblers and experienced and adequately equipped hikers.

Guided multi-day wilderness trails operate in the Kruger National Park and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, but must be booked well in advance. Shorter unguided nature trails, typically up to 10km (6,2mi) in duration, can be found in many minor reserves that lack dangerous wildlife.

If you plan on walking a lot, bring suitable footwear and a few pairs of thick socks. A walking stick can be helpful in more hilly areas or trails with loose rocks underfoot.

Who is Travelling to South Africa with you?

Planning your South African adventure? Tailor your journey with experiences designed for every type of traveller. Whether you’re exploring with a loved one, embarking on a family adventure, discovering solo, celebrating a honeymoon, or enjoying a trip with friends, South Africa offers unique and unforgettable experiences for all. Select your travel type to find the perfect itinerary and make the most of your South African safari holiday.

• A South African Holiday as a Couple
• Family Safari in SA
• LGBTQIA+ Safari Holidays in South Africa
• Solo Traveling Through South Africa
• South Africa Honeymoon

Most parts of South Africa are suited for a couples holiday. However, it’s easier for couples traveling without children to self-drive (which also helps keep costs down) and ensures plenty of privacy and quality time together.

Many couples opt to visit areas like the Garden Route , Kruger Park , and iSimangaliso , which are ideal for self-drive exploration and romantic interludes.

(P.S. If you’re looking for Romantic Holiday Packages , we’ve got some great travel deals for you.)

South Africa is one of the world’s best family-friendly safari destinations . It’s mostly malaria-free and offers excellent infrastructure and relatively good road networks. There are also several parks that provide self-drive safaris, making it ideal for families wanting to holiday in the African bush.

Pilanesberg National Park

Amongst the best family-friendly parks is Pilanesberg National Park in the North-West province. Not only does it neighbor the famous Sun City entertainment resort, but it’s malaria-free , an easy two-hours drive from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, and hosts the Big Five .

Addo Elephant Park

Addo Elephant National Park is not only overflowing with elephants but the rest of the Big Five can also be sighted in the park on safari.

The beauty of the park is that its proximity to the coast allows families to see whales at the right time of the year. Once inside the park, there are several excellent, affordable camps and self-catering options with good roads.

The Kruger National Park is the crown jewel in South Africa’s wildlife crown and is the most accessible – an easy four-hour drive from Johannesburg makes it an excellent option for families. Within the park itself, there is an abundance of affordable accommodation options, which are surrounded by the Big Five .

Madikwe Game Reserve in the North-West is also 100% malaria-free and is regarded as South Africa’s best private game reserve. They cater to families of all sizes and ages, with their “Jungle Drives” for children under the age of four and the “Children’s Safari” for slightly older kids. (P.S. If you’re looking for Family Holiday Specials , we’ve got some great travel deals for you.)

South Africa ranks among the world’s more progressive countries regarding LGBTQIA+ rights. Indeed, the new South African Constitution, drawn up in 1996, was the first in the world to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation, and in 2005 South Africa became the fifth country in the world, and first in Africa, to recognize same-sex marriage.

Cape Town is the most amenable city in Africa for LGBTQIA+ visitors, thanks to a lively and friendly gay scene focused on De Waterkant and parts of Green Point.

Larger cities such as Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Durban also have thriving LGBT Communities. Of the smaller towns, Knysna is renowned for its annual Pink Loerie Pride Carnival. Elsewhere in South Africa, attitudes tend to be more conservative, but LGBT rights are guaranteed, and you are highly unlikely to encounter open discrimination.

Solo travel through South Africa is a pleasure. Locals are friendly, and you’ll be able to meet many people. Most parts of South Africa are suited to solo travel.

Locals are welcoming and often go out of their way to make single travelers feel at home.

Cape Town , in particular, is suited to those who relish urban attractions, whether it be museums, galleries, theaters, bars, nightclubs, and live music venues.

Private reserves are probably better suited to single travelers than national parks and other public sanctuaries since they tend to offer a more hands-on personalized service.

Solo travelers tend to gravitate towards more urban attractions than couples. Cape Town is a must for solo travelers and a good base for exploring the gorgeous Cape Peninsula and the Cape Winelands.

Many solo travelers prefer not to self-drive, which makes it challenging to explore areas like Kruger Park and Garden Route unless you join an organized tour. Private game reserves such as Sabi Sand and Phinda are particularly well-suited to solo travelers.

An excellent way for single travelers to explore South Africa is by combining the Baz Bus and the many backpacker hostels scattered around its cities and other main sites of interest. 

The Baz Bus is an affordable hop-on, hop-off bus service that connects Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, and several other popular places of interest.

Its clientele is dominated by single travelers who are receptive to making new friends and meeting like-minded travel companions on the road. 

Likewise, most backpacker hostels have lively communal areas where it’s easy to meet other travelers.

They usually also offer affordable group tours to local sites of interest, as well as overnight tours further afield, for instance from Gauteng to the Kruger National Park or Cape Town to the Winelands .

At a more luxurious level, most private reserves operate group game drives. Many also encourage guests to dine together, making it easy for solo travelers to mingle on holiday.

In the middle range, solo travelers seeking personalized attention should consider booking into small B&Bs and other owner-managed lodges rather than larger, more institutional hotels.

There are no risks specific to solo travel in South Africa. Still, single women, in particular, should apply the usual common sense precautions such as not walking alone in cities at night and avoiding deserted beaches.

Additionally, you should notify family and friends of your whereabouts during your travels.

An authentic South Africa honeymoon is lovely for romantic holidays, especially for those who want to mix up the romance with outdoor pursuits such as game viewing and walking.

If it’s bush luxury you’re after for your South Africa honeymoon, look no further than a lodge in a private reserve (for instance, Sabi Sands, Madikwe or Phinda), many of which have honeymoon suites and can arrange romantic gas lit dinners on a private terrace or deep in the bush.

Another popular venue for a honeymoon safari in South Africa is the Super-Luxurious Sun City complex , which lies just two hours’ drive from Johannesburg and borders the excellent malaria-free Pilanesberg Game Reserve .

Ideally, pair up your South Africa honeymoon with a few days at a coastal resort such as Umhlanga Rocks and Ballito in KwaZulu-Natal , Plettenberg Bay, and Knysna on the Garden Route , or even Cape Town itself.

Finally, no self-respecting foodie should miss out on the Cape Winelands on their honeymoon, which hosts some of South Africa’s finest, most gracious, and most romantic restaurants and wine-tasting venues.

Where to go on Safari in South Africa for your honeymoon

Thornybush lodge.

Each lodge has a unique nature that lends itself to the romanticism of celebrating love; whether it’s a private candlelit dinner or simply the magic of being immersed in the bush, Thornybush Lodge ensures you get only the best in special treatment.

Let us take care of the small things while you spend quality time together and enjoy your intimate moments in one of the most romantic safari destinations in Africa.

Another famous safari lodge for honeymooning in Southern Africa is Lion Sands – an award-winning lodge that was just rebuilt in 2016 with stunning views of the Sabie River in Kruger National Park.

The rooms are enormous and uber-private, with fireplaces, viewing decks, and private pools.

Tintswalo Private Safari Lodge

Sharing an unfenced boundary with the renowned Kruger National Park, Tintswalo Safari Lodge sits on the pristine Manyeleti Private Game Reserve, home to some of the best game viewing and game drive experiences South Africa has to offer.

Royal Malewane

For a six-star safari lodge experience that is delectably deluxe, look no further than Royal Malewane , where you can watch elephants from your very own pool.

Royal Malewane is easily accessible by air and road and is located in the Thornybush Private Game Reserve on the Western Border of The Greater Kruger National Park.

The closest airport is Hoedspruit, and there is a private landing strip at Royal Malewane. This is an ultra-luxurious private safari lodge and an ideal South Africa honeymoon.

What You Need To Know

Planning a trip to South Africa involves considering several important factors to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. From understanding visa requirements and health precautions to knowing the best times to visit and local customs, having the right information will help you make the most of your journey. Discover Africa provides essential tips and insights to help you prepare for an unforgettable adventure in this diverse and beautiful country.

• South Africa Visa Requirements and Fees
• Packing List for a South Africa Holiday
• Medical Insurance for South Africa
• South Africa vs Botswana
• Wildlife in South Africa
• South Africa vs Namibia
• Getting Around in South Africa
• South African Cultures and Their Nuances
• Medical Requirements for South Africa
• South African Food and Tipping
• Is South Africa Safe?
• Vaccinations for South Africa
• Languages in South Africa
• Changing Money in South Africa
• Health Care in South Africa
• Medical Emergencies in South Africa
• Lodges in South Africa: The Do’s and Don’ts
• Where to Go in South Africa
• When to Go to South Africa
• South Africa Experiences
• All visitors must present a passport upon arrival at their port of entry. This must be valid until at least 30 days after the end of their intended stay and must have at least one blank page to accommodate entry and exit stamps.
• Technically, visitors should also have a return or onward ticket and be able to demonstrate access to sufficient funds to cover day-to-day expenses for the duration of their stay, but these requirements are seldom enforced.
• Visas for stays of up to 90 days are not required by holders of the following passports: Australia, Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Spain, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania (90 days per year), United Kingdom (including Guernsey and Jersey, Isle of Man and the Virgin Islands, and British Overseas territories), United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe.
• Visas for stays of up to 30 days are not required by holders of the following passports: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Gabon, Guyana, Hong Kong, Hungary, Jordan, Lesotho, Macau, Malaysia, Malawi, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Peru, Poland, Seychelles, Slovak Republic, South Korea, Swaziland, Thailand, Turkey, and Zambia.
• Holders of other passports must organize a visa in advance and require at least two unused pages for endorsements. A multiple-entry visa is required for those planning an air or road excursion from South Africa to another neighboring country.
• A strictly enforced new ruling to curtail child trafficking requires that all children under 18 show an unabridged birth certificate upon arrival in or exit from South Africa (or if a visa is necessary when they apply for that). If the child is traveling with one or neither parent, a parental consent affidavit or equivalent document from the absent parent(s) is also required.

Aside from checking relevant vaccinations and seeking advice about anti-malaria drugs, no special preparations are required for a trip to South Africa.

All over-the-counter medications are widely available at pharmacies, but you might want to buy essentials such as sunblock and insect repellent before you travel.

Travelers who wear contact lenses might find that their eyes are more irritable in the dry heat typical of parts of South Africa. Pack glasses as a backup on your South African holiday.

Travelling with Children

If you are traveling with children, please ensure that you have all the required documentation and original birth certificates for each child.

This is part of the child visa regulations implemented by the South Africa Home Affairs department, and more information can be obtained using this [checklist].

If you are traveling to South Africa and a safari is part of your planned itinerary, then there are a couple of things to consider packing. Some of the items below will be helpful;

• High-SPF sunscreen and a sunhat
• Comfortable, lightweight clothes of neutral colors
• Comfortable closed shoes
• A light fleece or sweater for the evenings
• Insect repellent
• Camera equipment
• Anti-malarial medication if you’re in a malaria area (rare)
• US dollars in cash – You don’t need much, but a couple of hundred will allow you to at least change if need be and helps for tipping purposes as well.

Full medical travel insurance, including air evacuation from remote areas, is highly recommended. Be aware that some insurance policies may not cover activities deemed to be hazardous, for instance, paragliding or scuba diving.

When traveling to South Africa, we always recommend you speak to a local travel consultant to ensure you have all the proper documentation and cover.

These policies and procedures may change, and therefore, your local operator cannot be held responsible in cases of a medical emergency. There are a couple of fantastic resources for both, such as Just Landed , that can guide you through the process.

Botswana is a more pure wildlife destination than South Africa. Its main safari reserves, for instance, the Okavango and Chobe , are less accessible than their South African counterparts, far wilder in feel, and tend to cater more to high-cost, low-impact fly-in tourism.

Botswana thus offers more of an overt wilderness experience than anything in South Africa. Still, it’s not well suited to budget-conscious travelers or DIY self-drivers like Kruger or Pilanesberg.

South Africa is a more family-friendly and affordable safari destination than Botswana. It has a far greater variety of attractions.

Botswana has nothing to compare to historical South African cities such as Cape Town or Stellenbosch or to the lofty heights of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg.

It is a landlocked country with no coastline compared to 2,500km (1,553mi) in South Africa. South Africa is also the only country in Africa to boast several malaria-free safari destinations .

Several Big Five reserves protect the more charismatic large mammals associated with the African savannah. Foremost among these is the Kruger National Park and its abutting private reserves.

Still, other key safari destinations include iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, Madikwe, Pilanesberg, Addo Elephant National Park, and a variety of smaller and more exclusive private reserves.

These premier reserves all support healthy lion, elephant, and buffalo populations. South Africa stands as the world’s most important stronghold for rhinos (around 90% of the global population of White rhinos and Black rhinos is concentrated there).

At the same time, the private reserves bordering Kruger have few, if any, rivals when it comes to intimate leopard encounters.

Other wildlife associated with these reserves includes African wild dogs, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, giraffes, zebra, warthogs, baboons, and Vervet monkeys.

The country supports around two dozen species of antelope, ranging from the outsized eland and stately spiral-horned greater kudu to the gregarious Blue wildebeest and impala and arid-country specialists such as gemsbok, springbok, and the diminutive forest-dwelling Red and Blue duikers.

Several large mammal species are endemic to South Africa. The Black wildebeest and Blesbok are associated mainly with grassy habitats in the Highveld.

At the same time, the Cape mountain zebra and bontebok are fynbos-dwellers more-or-less confined to the Western Cape.

Marine wildlife is a strong feature of South Africa. The clifftop town of Hermanus offers the world’s finest land-based whale-watching, while other aquatic wildlife attractions range from caged shark dives at Mossel Bay and turtle-nesting excursions in iSimangaliso to the penguin colony at Cape Town’s Boulders Beach and dolphins that frequently visit many of the country’s bays.

South Africa is a key bird-watching destination . The national checklist comprises around 840 species and includes the world’s largest bird (ostrich) and what is reputedly its bulkiest flying species (kori bustard), along with a dazzling variety of bee-eaters, turacos, parrots, rollers, and waxbills.

The national checklist comprises around 840 species and includes the world’s largest bird (ostrich) and what is reputedly its bulkiest flying species (kori bustard), along with a dazzling variety of bee-eaters, turacos, parrots, rollers, and waxbills. d several more are near-endemics with a range that extends a small way into Namibia and/or Botswana.

Avian variety is most significant in the southern summer (November-March) when several resident species assume a colorful breeding plumage and dozens of migrant species arrive from Europe or elsewhere in Africa.

There are several sites in South Africa, most notably perhaps Kruger, where a moderately skilled birder could tick 100 species in a day.

South Africa and Namibia stand out as two of the few countries in Africa truly suited to self-drive travel.

Both also have excellent safari opportunities, self-drive or otherwise, in the form of Etosha National Park in Namibia, and Kruger National Park (among others) in South Africa.

In most other respects the two countries are very different. Namibia is of greatest interest for its dramatic desert landscapes, most famously the stunning red dunes of Sossuvlei , and for the overwhelming sense of space one might expect of the most thinly populated country in sub-Saharan Africa.

South Africa is a more family-friendly and varied destination than Namibia, and generally more affordable too. There is nothing in Namibia to compare to historic South African cities such as Cape Town  (though the remote German-influenced port of Luderitz tries its best).

And while Namibia does boasts a long and scenic Atlantic coastline, it is for the most part too barren and windswept to qualify as a conventional beach holiday destination comparable to South Africa’s Garden Route or KwaZulu-Natal .

A good network of domestic flights connects Johannesburg and Cape Town to other major cities such as Mbombela (for the Kruger Park ), Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth, and George (for the Garden Route ).

Trunk roads are all surfaced and well maintained, so self-drive is a straightforward option, provided you have a valid license. The usual international car rental companies are represented in all major cities and airports.

Driving is on the left side of the road, as in the UK, which may require some adjustment for drivers from mainland Europe, the USA, and elsewhere who are accustomed to driving on the right.

A popular option with backpackers, the Baz Bus is a hop-on hop-off service that runs through the interior between Johannesburg and Durban via Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg, then along the coastal N2 between Durban and Cape Town via East London, Port Elizabeth, and the Garden Route.

Inexpensive Greyhound-style coaches also cover most trunk routes.

• South Africa has four main ethnic groups that comprise the entire population.
• 11 official languages are spoken, with English being the most widely used.
• South Africa is affectionately known as the Rainbow Nation because of its diversity in its people, climates, geography, and wide array of experiences.
• It covers 1,21 million square kilometers, making it roughly twice the size of France.
• South Africans are very warm and accommodating.
• The culture isn’t homogenous; instead, it’s a collection of different cultures, with different ones being predominant in different regions.
• The population comprises a wide range of backgrounds, including people of mixed African, Asian, and European descent.

• Eating with a knife and fork is the norm, except at some traditional
• South African society is pretty liberal, as everyone’s rights are protected under the constitution.
• South Africans express affection very openly, so shaking hands and slaps on the back are commonplace.

Malaria is absent from most parts of South Africa, and it’s nowhere as prevalent as in much of equatorial Africa.

Exceptions are the eastern Lowveld of Mpumalanga and Limpopo, which is classified as a moderate-risk malarial area, and coastal KwaZulu-Natal north of Richard’s Bay, which is regarded to be low-risk.

Transmission is more or less confined to the rainy summer months. For this reason, travelers who intend to visit the Kruger National Park and/or adjacent private reserves from September to May are advised to take antimalarial drugs, and visitors to iSimangaliso Wetland Park and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi might also consider it.

Several such drugs are available, and it’s best to seek advice from a doctor or travel clinic a few weeks before your trip.

It’s also advisable to take all reasonable precautions against being bitten by the nocturnal Anopheles mosquitoes that transmit the disease.

Wear a long-sleeved shirt, trousers, and socks in the evening, apply a DEET-based insect repellent to any exposed flesh, and sleep under a net, in an air-conditioned room, under a fan, or with a mosquito coil burning.

Travelers with young children or who prefer not to take medication could consider visiting one of several malaria-free safari destinations, for instance, Madikwe, Pilanesberg, or Addo, in preference to the Kruger National Park.

Restaurants operate on a similar basis to those in Europe or North America. A 10-15% tip to the waiter is standard, depending on the quality of service.

At hotels, it’s usually easier to sign drinks and meals to the room than to pay cash, but you could still leave a tip for an individual waiter or bartender or add one to the bill before you sign it.

Hotel porters usually expect a tip of around R10 per item of luggage.

On organized tours, most tips are handled by the guide, but it’s customary to tip the guide and/or driver at the end, usually as a group rather than individually.

Upmarket lodges and camps that operate on a full-board basis generally have a tip box at reception. Tips will usually be distributed between all the staff, a system that seems fairest to backroom workers in a country where hotel staff is very poorly paid.

Any guides, drivers, and trackers should be tipped in game lodges that offer guided game drives. Many such lodges have guidelines in the rooms; failing that, ask management for a directive.

South Africa has strict foreign exchange regulations, so it’s best tip in Rands rather than hard currency.

Crime rates are high but, as a rule, not directed specifically at tourists. The main crime hotspot areas are probably the CBDs of the three largest cities (Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban), but an element of risk exists everywhere.

That said, the overwhelming majority of visitors have hassle-free holidays, and so should you if you follow the commonsense do’s and don’ts below:

• Before you leave home, make sure you have a scan or other electronic version of all important travel documents in case they are lost or stolen. Carry copies of these scans on all suitable devices and email them to yourself.
• Make sure your luggage can easily be padlocked; this won’t prevent a determined thief from slashing it open, but it is a solid deterrent to casual light fingers.
• Never leave cash, mobile phones, electronic devices, and other valuables lying around in your hotel room, and where possible, store your passport and other essential documents, as well as spare cash and cards, in a hotel safe.
• Avoid displaying expensive jewelry, cameras, laptops, or large amounts of cash in urban areas.
• Avoid walking around towns after dark. If you do, there is safety in numbers, and it’s always advisable to stick to busy and well-lit streets.
• Be very alert around ATMs, especially in quiet areas and after dark.
• Self-drivers should keep their car doors locked, and windows closed in urban areas. When leaving the car parked in transit, lock all valuables in the boot.

The one vaccination certificate you may be required to show at immigration is yellow fever, and then only if you arrive from or via the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America.

Other recommended vaccinations are tetanus and polio. You could also consider immunization against hepatitis A and B, diphtheria, rabies, typhoid, cholera, and tuberculosis.

That said, please ensure that you always check with your local travel clinic or doctor before traveling, as there are different guidelines depending on the country you are traveling from.

The most numerically significant language is isiZulu, the mother tongue of roughly 22.5% of South Africans, followed by IsiXhosa (16%) and Dutch-based Afrikaans (13.5%).

English, the first language of 9.5% of South Africans, is the lingua franca of the tourist industry and will be spoken to a high to middling standard by practically all waiters, bartenders, shop assistants, and staff of hotels and other tourist-oriented institutions.

The other official languages are SeSotho, Sepedi (also known as North SeSotho), IsiNdebele, Tshivenda, Setswana, Xitsonga, and siSwati.

South Africa is a multilingual country with eleven official languages, each reflecting a unique cultural heritage and history. 

English, though not the most widely spoken first language, is the primary language of business, politics, and media. It serves as a unifying language, bridging communication across the nation’s diverse linguistic landscape.

Approximately 9.6% of the population speaks English as a first language, with widespread use across all provinces.

Zulu (isiZulu)

Zulu, or isiZulu, is the most spoken home language in South Africa, particularly dominant in KwaZulu-Natal. It has a deep oral tradition and vibrant cultural heritage. Approximately 22.7% of the population speaks Zulu as a first language, and it is widely understood across the country.

• Hello : Sawubona
• Goodbye : Hamba kahle (go well) / Sala kahle (stay well)
• Please : Ngiyacela
• Thank you : Ngiyabonga

Xhosa (isiXhosa)

Xhosa, or isiXhosa, is widely spoken in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape. Known for its distinctive click sounds, Xhosa has a rich oral literature and cultural traditions. It is the second most common home language in South Africa, spoken by about 16% of the population.

• Hello : Molo
• Goodbye : Hamba kakuhle (go well) / Sala kakuhle (stay well)
• Please : Ndicela
• Thank you : Enkosi

Afrikaans evolved from Dutch, spoken by settlers in the Cape during the 17th century. It has a rich literary tradition and is the third most spoken language in South Africa. 

Afrikaans is prevalent in the Western Cape, Northern Cape, and parts of Gauteng and the Free State. Around 13.5% of the population speaks Afrikaans as a first language.

• Hello : Hallo
• Goodbye : Totsiens
• Please : Asseblief
• Thank you : Dankie

Sepedi (Northern Sotho)

Sepedi, also known as Northern Sotho, is spoken in Limpopo Province. It has a rich cultural heritage, with traditional music and dance playing an important role in social gatherings and ceremonies. Around 9.1% of the population speaks Sepedi as a first language.

• Hello : Dumela
• Goodbye : Šalang gabotse (stay well) / Sepela gabotse (go well)
• Please : Hle
• Thank you : Kea leboga

Tswana (Setswana)

Tswana, or Setswana, is spoken in the North West Province and parts of Gauteng. It is closely related to the languages spoken in Botswana, and it is known for its oral traditions and proverbs. Approximately 8.2% of the population speaks Tswana as a first language.

• Goodbye : Sala sentle (stay well) / Tsamaya sentle (go well)
• Please : Tswee-tswee
• Thank you : Ke a leboga

Sotho (Sesotho)

Sotho, or Sesotho, is primarily spoken in the Free State and Lesotho. It has a rich history of oral literature and is known for its proverbs and storytelling traditions. Around 7.6% of the population speaks Sesotho as a first language.

• Goodbye : Sala hantle (stay well) / Tsamaya hantle (go well)
• Please : Ka kōpo
• Thank you : Kea leboha

Tsonga (Xitsonga)

Tsonga, or Xitsonga, is spoken in Limpopo and Mpumalanga. It is known for its vibrant cultural heritage, including traditional music, dance, and beadwork. About 4.5% of the population speaks Tsonga as a first language.

• Hello : Avuxeni
• Goodbye : Sala kahle
• Please : Ndzi kombela
• Thank you : Ndza nkhensa

Swati (siSwati)

Swati, or siSwati, is spoken in Mpumalanga and the Kingdom of Eswatini. It is a Bantu language with a rich tradition of poetry and dance. Approximately 2.5% of the population speaks Swati as a first language.

• Goodbye : Hamba kahle

Venda (Tshivenda)

Venda, or Tshivenda, is spoken in the northern part of Limpopo Province. It is known for its distinct cultural practices, including traditional music and dance. About 2.4% of the population speaks Venda as a first language.

• Hello : Ndaa / Aa
• Goodbye : Fambai zwavhudi (go well) / Vha sale zwavhudi (stay well)
• Please : Ndo livhuwa
• Thank you : Ndi a livhuwa

Ndebele (isiNdebele)

Ndebele, or isiNdebele, is spoken in Mpumalanga and parts of Gauteng. It is known for its vibrant beadwork and colourful house painting traditions. Around 2.1% of the population speaks Ndebele as a first language.

• Hello : Salibonani
• Goodbye : Sala kuhle

This content provides an overview of each language, its cultural significance, where it is commonly spoken, and common greetings and phrases to help visitors appreciate the linguistic diversity of South Africa.

The South African Rand (ZAR) trades at very favorable rates to most international currencies. There’s no need to bring large amounts of hard currency cash or to buy Rands in advance.

Major international credit/debit cards (for instance, Visa, MasterCard, and, to a lesser extent, American Express) can be used to draw local currency at 24-hour ATMs throughout the country (the one exception being in most national parks and game reserves) and to pay directly for almost all services and goods.

That said, it’s a good idea to carry a bit of hard currency cash as a fallback, say the equivalent of around US$200-400; this can be exchanged into Rands at any bank or Bureau de Change.

Although South Africa has a public healthcare system, it is underfunded and understaffed, and facilities tend to be overcrowded, with some 20% of the country’s doctors employed to serve around 80% of the population.

By contrast, private medical facilities compare favorably with anywhere in the world and also tend to be affordable.

If no other assistance is at hand, call a medical emergency service. The government-run emergency number for ambulances in South Africa is 10177. Private 24-hour national emergency and ambulance services include ER24 (084 124), which is linked to a private network of 50-plus MediClinic hospitals, and Netcare 911 (082 911). The police flying squad can be reached at 10111.

• Cover up when on safari; closed shoes are a must (or at least open shoes that fasten tightly). Consider neutral-colored clothing when in the bush. Keep it down to preserve noise pollution and respect fellow safari-goers.
• Notice the small things. While sighting the Big Five in South Africa is a must, noticing the smaller details will make your experience that much more enriching.

• Don’t get too close to the wildlife – the power of nature is unpredictable and formidable and should be respected at all times.
• Take a pair of binoculars if you want a good close-up of wildlife while still maintaining your distance.

• Protect yourself in terms of insects and viruses. Always check what vaccinations you need.
• Understand how game drives work. Private lodges offer game drives for guests (anywhere from 4-10 people). There is generally a chance for a coffee break in the morning and sundowners in the evening.

• Rangers are usually in radio contact with other vehicles and allow the other the courtesy of enjoying a sighting before making it known to the rest of the vehicles.
• Pack the right kit for a safari.
• Keep children entertained with an animal checklist when on game drives.

• Sit in the middle of the vehicle. This gives you the best of both vantage points.
• If you’re a keen birdwatcher or photographer, you may want to consider a private vehicle – just be sure to comply with the game lodge rules, i.e. never get out of your vehicle.

15 Best Places to Visit in South Africa

South Africa is such a diverse destination that it literally checks all the boxes for all sorts of travellers—whether you want to explore unique landscapes, rich wildlife, or its vibrant heritage and cultures.

From the iconic Kruger National Park to the scenic Garden Route, let us guide you on the popular hotspot and the lesser-known, must-do experience to add to your itinerary to ensure a well-rounded journey to the Southern Tip of Africa.

1. Kruger National Park

Overview: Kruger National Park is South Africa’s flagship national park and one of Africa’s largest game reserves. It is famous for its abundant Big Five sightings.

Set across 20,000 square kilometers, wildlife enthusiasts can enjoy thrilling game drives and guided walking safaris in this natural treasure trove. You are spoilt for choice regarding world-class luxurious lodges set in the exclusive, private concessions (Link to Top Five Private Game Reserves) surrounding Kruger – many of whom are our preferred partners.

Unique Facts: Kruger is home to over 500 bird species and 147 mammal species, including the rare African wild dog. The park also boasts archaeological sites like Masorini and Thulamela, offering a glimpse into ancient African civilizations.

2. Cape Town & Surrounds

Overview: Cape Town is listed among the best cities and metropolises in the world, including New York, London, Rio, and Paris. Its cosmopolitan mix of urban sophistication and natural beauty can satisfy the wanderlust of adventure seekers, history buffs, and food and wine connoisseurs alike. With the stunning Table Mountain as its backdrop, highlight experiences include the beautiful beaches of the Atlantic Seaboard, a trip to the historic Robben Island, and exploring the lush Cape Winelands, combined with the tastes of the city’s celebrated culinary scene.

Unique Facts: Cape Town is home to the Cape Floral Kingdom, one of the world’s six floral kingdoms, boasting over 9,000 plant species and the endemic fynbos biome. Table Mountain is one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

3. Garden Route

Overview: The Garden Route is a picturesque stretch along South Africa’s south-eastern coast, renowned for its lush forests, stunning coastlines, and charming towns. Key attractions include the dramatic cliffs and suspension bridges of Tsitsikamma National Park, the tranquil lagoons of Knysna, and the golden beaches of Plettenberg Bay. The area is perfect for road trips and offers a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, whale watching, and bungee jumping.

Unique Facts: The Garden Route is home to the world’s highest bungee jump at Bloukrans Bridge (216 meters). Tsitsikamma National Park is part of the UNESCO-designated Garden Route Biosphere Reserve.

4. KwaZulu-Natal

Overview: KwaZulu-Natal is known for its stunning beaches, historic battlefields, and rich wildlife. Visitors can explore the rolling hills and game reserves of Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, the towering peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains, and the bustling Golden Mile stretch of beach in Durban. The province offers a unique blend of cultural experiences, including visits to traditional Zulu villages and historical sites from the Anglo-Zulu War.

Unique Facts: Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is the oldest proclaimed nature reserve in Africa, renowned for its rhino conservation efforts. The Drakensberg is home to ancient San rock art, some dating back thousands of years.

5. Eastern Cape

Overview: The Eastern Cape is rich in natural beauty and cultural heritage, offering pristine beaches, Big Five game reserves, and the vibrant Xhosa culture. Key attractions include the Addo Elephant Park, known for its large elephant herds, the rugged Wild Coast, and the remote Baviaanskloof wilderness. You will find a perfect blend of beach and bush experiences, with plenty of opportunities for hiking, surfing, and wildlife safaris.

Unique Facts: Addo Elephant Park is home to one of the densest elephant populations in the world. The Wild Coast features the Hole in the Wall, a natural archway carved by the ocean.

6. Cape Winelands

Overview: Award-winning wines, gourmet cuisine, and stunning scenery all put the Cape Winelands in a league of its own. Explore the charming towns of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl, where you can enjoy wine tours and tastings amidst picturesque vineyards and historic estates. These wineland towns are renowned for their excellent dining, boutique shopping, and beautiful countryside, perfect for leisurely drives or a fun day hopping on and off the wine tram.

Unique Facts: Franschhoek is known as the “Food and Wine Capital” of South Africa, with a history dating back to French Huguenot settlers in 1688. Stellenbosch is home to some of the oldest wine estates in the country.

Overview: Limpopo’s rich wildlife and unspoiled natural beauty are its biggest drawcards. The Waterberg Biosphere, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Mapungubwe National Park offer fascinating archaeological sites and wildlife sightings. It is well-suited to those wanting a more off-the-beaten-path safari experience, with opportunities for bird watching, hiking, and cultural tours.

Unique Facts: Mapungubwe was once the center of the Kingdom of Mapungubwe, a powerful trading civilization around the 11th century. The Waterberg region is home to the world’s largest colony of Cape Vultures.

8. Mpumalanga

Overview: Mpumalanga, known as “The Place Where the Sun Rises,” offers some of South Africa’s most dramatic scenery. Key attractions include the breathtaking Blyde River Canyon, the scenic Panorama Route, and the numerous waterfalls around Sabie. The region also borders the southern part of Kruger National Park, making it a great starting point for safari adventures.

Unique Facts: Blyde River Canyon is one of the largest canyons in the world, described as a ‘green canyon’ due to its lush subtropical foliage. The region is also home to the Three Rondavels, iconic geological formations resembling traditional African huts.

9. North West Province

Overview: The North West Province is home to the glamorous Sun City resort and the malaria-free Pilanesberg National Park. It offers a mix of entertainment and wildlife experiences and is suitable for family-friendly holidays and romantic couple adventures.

Unique Facts: Pilanesberg National Park is situated in the crater of a long-extinct volcano, one of only three alkaline volcanic craters in the world. Sun City features the Valley of Waves, a large water park with a wave pool and artificial beach.

10. Northern Cape

Overview: The Northern Cape is South Africa’s largest province, bordering Namibia and Botswana. You will experience vast open spaces, unique flora, and dramatic landscapes here. Notable highlights include the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park with its stunning red dunes and black-maned lions, the spectacular spring flowers of Namaqualand, and the rugged desert Richtersveld terrain. This genuinely remote and wild safari experience is perfect for adventurous travellers.

Unique Facts: The Northern Cape is home to the largest population of Sociable Weavers, known for their massive communal nests. The Richtersveld is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its biodiversity and unique cultural heritage of the Nama people.

South Africa is a prime choice for your safari adventure, whether you’re seeking a luxury escape, an affordable family-friendly adventure or a romantic honeymoon spoil.

Discover Africa’s travel experts are able to personalize this wide selection to perfectly suit your preferred travel style and ensure every detail of your itinerary is taken care of from the moment you arrive, until you are safely back home again.

Start planning your dream safari today and let us help you create memories that will last a lifetime. Contact Us to get started!

Top 5 Private Game Reserves

1. sabi sand game reserve.

Overview: Adjacent to Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand Game Reserve is renowned for its luxurious lodges and exceptional Big Five sightings. As a private reserve it offers an exclusive and intimate safari experience, with opportunities for off-road driving and night safaris. Sabi Sand is particularly famous for its leopard sightings, offering you a chance to see these elusive cats up close.

Unique Facts: Sabi Sand Game Reserve pioneered the concept of private wildlife reserves in South Africa. It also boasts one of the highest densities of leopards in the world.

2. Madikwe Game Reserve

Overview: Madikwe Game Reserve is a malaria-free reserve offering rich wildlife experiences and luxurious lodges.

Located on the Botswana border, Madikwe is known for its thriving populations of wild dogs (an endangered species), sightings of elephants, and lions. A more exclusive safari experience with fewer visitors, this reserve is focused on conservation and community involvement.

Unique Facts: Madikwe is one of South Africa’s largest Big Give game reserves and was established in 1991 as part of a major conservation initiative. The reserve is known for its successful wild dog reintroduction program.

3. Phinda Private Game Reserve

Overview: Phinda Private Game Reserve has seven distinct ecosystems, supporting a rich ecosystem that includes the Big Five and cheetahs. The reserve offers luxurious lodges, excellent game viewing, and a strong focus on conservation and community development.

Unique Facts: Phinda is often referred to as “Seven Worlds of Wonder” due to its distinct habitats. The reserve is renowned for its black rhino conservation efforts.

4. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park

Overview: One of Africa’s oldest game reserves, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is known for its successful conservation efforts and diverse wildlife. The park offers scenic landscapes ranging from rolling hills to riverine forests, with excellent opportunities to see rhinos, lions, and elephants. Visitors can enjoy guided walks, self-drive safaris, and boat trips on the nearby St Lucia estuary.

Unique Facts: Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park played a crucial role in saving the white rhino from extinction. The park is also the only state-run park in KwaZulu-Natal where all the Big Five occur.

5. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Overview: Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a vast wilderness area straddling the border between South Africa and Botswana. Known for its stunning red dunes, black-maned lions, and impressive birdlife, the park offers a truly unique safari experience. Visitors can enjoy self-drive safaris, guided walks, and the remote and rugged beauty of this semi-desert environment.

Unique Facts: Kgalagadi is one of the few places where visitors can see the rare black-maned Kalahari lions. The park is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 200 recorded bird species, including raptors like the Martial Eagle.

South Africa is a spectacular, year-round destination, with each season providing unique opportunities.

Understanding the seasonal changes can help you plan the perfect trip, whether you’re interested in wildlife safaris, beach holidays, or cultural experiences.

South Africa’s vibrant cities, like Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town, offer cultural and modern attractions year-round.

However, in the northern provinces (North West, Gauteng, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga), the dry winter months (May-September) are ideal for game viewing.

The Western Cape, with its Mediterranean climate, is best visited in the dry summer months (November-March) for its floral beauty and beaches. The Eastern Cape offers year-round safaris, though winter provides better wildlife viewing.

KwaZulu-Natal’s subtropical climate makes winter (May-September) the best for safaris, while summer is excellent for birdwatching.

Let’s dig into the seasonal highlights of when to plan your trip.

High Season vs. Low Season

High season (november – march).

• Overview: Summer in South Africa is perfect for escaping the colder Northern Hemisphere to enjoy warm weather and beach holidays combined with a bush escape.
• Pros: Ideal for beach activities, festivals, and exploring Cape Town.
• Cons: Higher prices and more crowded attractions.

Low Season (May – September)

• Overview: These months are considered winter in South Africa, with cooler temperatures and fewer tourists.
• Pros: Best time for game viewing, lower prices, and fewer crowds.
• Cons: Cooler weather, particularly in the interior regions.

Month-by-Month Guide

Embrace the hot and sunny weather of January, perfect for beach holidays along the South African coast. While the KwaZulu-Natal coast can be quite humid, it remains a popular destination. Spotting wildlife in Kruger Park and other reserves may be challenging due to dispersed animals and thick vegetation, but the lush green conditions and abundance of baby animals make it a rewarding experience. Don’t miss the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival and the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate horse racing event.

February heats up, especially in Cape Town, though coastal towns enjoy cooling sea breezes. This month offers ideal beach holidays without the festive crowds, although it remains busy. Wildlife viewing continues to be tricky with the vibrant bush, but the abundant fauna and lush scenery are captivating. Highlights include the Stellenbosch Wine Festival and Cape Town Pride.

March marks the end of summer, bringing warm and pleasant weather. It’s a prime time for beach holidays and game viewing, as the summer vegetation starts to clear, making wildlife spotting easier in Kruger Park and other reserves. Don’t miss the Cape Town Cycle Tour and the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.

April’s cooler and drier weather is perfect for outdoor adventures. Enjoy safari game viewing, hiking, and exploring national parks as water sources dry up, drawing animals closer. Key events this month include the Two Oceans Marathon and the South African Cheese Festival.

May ushers in the dry season with cooler temperatures, ideal for wine tasting and cultural tours. Wildlife gathers around water sources, making for exceptional game viewing. Noteworthy events in May are the Franschhoek Literary Festival and the Royal Show in Pietermaritzburg.

June brings cool to cold weather, especially in the interior. It’s prime time for safaris, whale watching along the coast, and cultural experiences. Sparse vegetation makes for excellent game viewing. Must-see events include the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown and the Knysna Oyster Festival.

July’s winter chill continues, with cold temperatures inland but milder conditions on the coast. It’s an optimal month for game viewing, whale watching, and hiking. Animals gather at water sources, enhancing visibility. Key events are the Durban International Film Festival and the Bastille Day Festival in Franschhoek.

August transitions from winter to warmer weather. This month is great for game viewing, whale watching, and enjoying the wildflower displays in Namaqualand. Spotting predators and large herbivores is a highlight. Notable events including the Oppikoppi Music Festival.

Spring begins in September, bringing mild and pleasant weather. It’s the best time for wildflower season in Namaqualand, game viewing, and the start of beach holidays. New life in the bush offers excellent wildlife experiences. Worthwhile events include the Cape Town Fringe Festival, Heritage Day celebrations and the Hermanus Whale Festival.

October warms up as spring blooms fully. It’s an ideal time for beach holidays, safaris, and exploring Cape Town. Animals still congregate around water sources, making for great game viewing. Don’t miss the long-standing Rocking the Daisies Music Festival.

November’s hot and sunny weather signals the start of early summer. Perfect for beach activities, game viewing, and cultural festivals. The lush landscapes teem with increased wildlife activity. Key events are the Cape Town Festival of Beer and the Jacaranda Festival in Pretoria.

December brings peak summer, with hot and festive weather. Enjoy beach holidays, festive events, and exploring the Garden Route. The lush, green bush with many young animals makes wildlife viewing especially rewarding. Don’t miss the Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts and Reconciliation Day celebrations.

Regional Climate Overview

Kruger National Park & Lowveld

• Dry Season (May – September) : Best time for game viewing as animals congregate around water sources. Cooler temperatures make it comfortable for outdoor activities.
• Wet Season (October – April) : Lush, green landscapes with baby animals and excellent bird watching opportunities. Afternoon thunderstorms are common.

Cape Town & Winelands

• Dry Season (November – February) : Hot, dry, and perfect for beaches and outdoor activities.
• Wet Season (May – August) : Cool and wet, but a great time for whale watching and exploring the indoors of the Winelands.
• Year-Round: Mild climate with no extreme temperatures. Spring and summer are ideal for outdoor activities and enjoying the coastal scenery.

Drakensberg Mountains

• Summer (November – February): Warm with afternoon thunderstorms, ideal for lush, green landscapes.
• Winter (June – August): Cold with occasional snow on the higher peaks, perfect for hiking.

Best Time for Activities

If you decide to go….

South Africa’s diverse landscapes and climates offer a variety of experiences throughout the year. Whether you’re looking for a wildlife safari, a beach holiday, or a cultural tour, understanding the best times to visit can enhance your trip. Discover Africa offers personalized safari experiences tailored to your preferences, ensuring every detail is taken care of.

Start planning your dream South African safari today and let us help you create memories that will last a lifetime. Contact Us to get started!

Visit South Africa to uncover the magic of this dream destination. Whether it’s witnessing the majestic Big 5 on safari, enjoying a tranquil birding adventure, or embarking on a fun-filled family safari, there are countless things to do in South Africa, ensuring a memorable trip for everyone.

Revel in the beauty of beach holidays, savour romantic honeymoons, or explore the wild on horseback safaris. Each adventure promises a deeper connection to the stunning landscapes and rich wildlife of South Africa.

Discover the perfect experience for you.

Big 5 Wildlife Safaris

Experience the thrill of encountering Africa’s most iconic animals – the Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalos.

Our expertly guided safaris take you to the heart of South Africa’s renowned game reserves, such as Kruger National Park, ensuring up-close and personal wildlife encounters that are both safe and awe-inspiring.

South Africa boasts a variety of national parks that offer similar wildlife experiences, including Addo Elephant and Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, making it a prime destination for road trips and

South Africa is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 800 species to spot. Our birding safaris cater to both novice and experienced birders, offering opportunities to observe a diverse array of birdlife in their natural habitats.

Addo in the Eastern Cape or UNESCO World Heritage Site iSimangaliso Wetland Park are prime birding safaris locations.

Discover rare and endemic species as you explore the country’s varied landscapes.

Malaria-Free Safaris

For those seeking a safari adventure without the worry of malaria, South Africa offers several malaria-free reserves. Enjoy the same incredible wildlife experiences in a safe and healthy environment, perfect for families and those with health considerations.

Addo Elephant National Park and Madikwe Game Reserve are premier malaria-free safari destinations known for its abundant elephant population and their Big 5 experiences.

Celebrate love with a bespoke honeymoon safari in South Africa. Whether it’s a luxurious lodge in the heart of the bush in Sabi Sands or a serene beach retreat in Cape Town, our honeymoon experiences are designed to create lasting memories. Enjoy private game drives, romantic dinners under the stars, and exclusive accommodations.

Kid-Friendly – Multi-Generation Safaris

Create unforgettable family memories with our kid-friendly safaris. Designed to cater to all ages, these safaris offer educational and fun activities, ensuring both kids and adults have an incredible time.

The Cape Peninsula, where you can enjoy activities like penguin watching and exploring the scenic coastline or the Garden Route with its outdoor adventure activities are perfect for families looking to bond and explore together.

Explore the stark beauty of South Africa’s deserts. From the red dunes of the Kalahari to the unique flora and fauna of the Namaqualand, our desert safaris offer a unique perspective on the country’s diverse ecosystems. Experience the tranquillity and vastness of the desert landscapes.

Beach, Diving, Surfing, Windsurfing in Cape Town

South Africa’s coastline offers more than just beautiful beaches. Dive into the rich marine life, catch a wave surfing, or harness the wind with windsurfing.

Between June and November, visitors can witness southern right whales migrating from Antarctica, especially in locations like Hermanus and De Hoop Nature Reserve, where these majestic creatures can be seen breaching and calving close to shore.

Our coastal experiences combine relaxation with adventure, making them perfect for beach lovers and thrill-seekers alike.

Rail Travel

Travel in style and comfort on one of South Africa’s luxury trains. Rail travel offers a unique way to see the country’s stunning scenery while enjoying world-class service and amenities. It’s a journey back in time, combining the romance of rail with modern luxury.

Capture the beauty of South Africa’s wildlife and landscapes with our photographic safaris. Led by professional photographers, these safaris are perfect for photography enthusiasts looking to hone their skills and take stunning images.

Don’t miss visiting Table Mountain, a must-visit location for capturing stunning photographs of Cape Town’s landscape, or easy access to Indian Ocean marine life at Phinda Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal.

Immerse yourself in the bush with a walking safari. Guided by experienced rangers, you’ll explore on foot, learning about the smaller details of the ecosystem that are often missed on vehicle safaris.

The walking trails of Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park or Pafuri in the northern part of Kruger will leave you spellbound. It’s an intimate and educational experience that brings you closer to nature.

Wellness, Spa, Yoga

Combine adventure with relaxation on our wellness safaris. Enjoy spa treatments, yoga sessions, and wellness activities in the serene surroundings of South Africa’s most beautiful lodges. It’s the perfect way to rejuvenate your body and mind while staying connected to nature.

Safari with Purpose

Make a difference while on safari with our impact experiences. Participate in conservation projects, community initiatives, and eco-friendly practices.

You’ll have the opportunity to visit sites related to Nelson Mandela for example and participate in community initiatives that honor his legacy. These impact safaris not only provide unforgettable wildlife encounters but also allow you to contribute positively to the environment and local communities.

Food & Wine

Indulge in South Africa’s culinary delights with our food and wine experiences. Explore the country’s famous wine regions, enjoy gourmet meals, and savour the unique flavours of South African cuisine.

South Africa’s Garden Route and Cape Winelands offers exceptional food and wine experiences, including wine tours and gourmet food and wine pairings.

It’s a feast for the senses that pairs perfectly with your safari adventure.

Experience the African bush from a different perspective with our horseback safaris. Ride through the wilderness, getting closer to wildlife than ever before. It’s a thrilling and serene way to explore the natural beauty of South Africa.

Hot Air Ballooning Safaris

Soar above the landscapes in a hot air balloon for a truly unique safari experience. Watch the sunrise over the savannah, spot wildlife from the sky, and enjoy the breathtaking views. View the expanse of the Drakensberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from a hot air balloon, offering an unforgettable perspective on South Africa’s beauty.

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South Africa Safari Holidays

Embark on an unforgettable adventure through the stunning landscapes of South Africa on a safari holiday like no other. Nestled in the southernmost tip of the African continent, South Africa boasts an incredible diversity of wildlife, breath-taking natural beauty, and a rich cultural heritage. From the vast plains of the iconic Kruger National Park to the rugged beauty of the Drakensberg Mountains, this country offers a myriad of experiences that will leave you in awe. Immerse yourself in the thriving ecosystems as you witness the Big Five – lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, and buffalos – in their natural habitat. Traverse through the golden savannahs, dense jungles, and meandering rivers, accompanied by expert guides who will unveil the secrets of the African wilderness. Our South African safari holidays offer an abundance of diverse experiences for families, friends or couples alike.

Beyond the wildlife, South Africa’s vibrant cities offer a blend of modernity and history, with their bustling markets, world-class restaurants, and historical landmarks. Indulge in the fusion of flavours and cultures as you sample the local cuisine and immerse yourself in the warmth and hospitality of the South African people. Whether you choose to embark on thrilling game drives, explore the ancient archaeological sites, or simply relax on the pristine beaches along the coastline, a South Africa safari holiday promises an extraordinary journey into the heart of nature. So, pack your bags, prepare your camera, and get ready to witness the wonders of the wild on a South African safari that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.

With our packages your travel is arranged from the moment you arrive in South Africa and until you leave again.

• All connecting internal flights and transfers are included.
• Your international flights should be booked to either Cape Town or Johannesburg international Airports and our team will advise and assist with flight suggestions and timings.
• Cape Town and Johannesburg International Airports are a hub for South Africa travel and major carriers fly directly worldwide.

Specials and promotions

• Our packages include discounts and various promotions throughout the year.
• Our team is up to speed with all promotions and each package is designed to incorporate these offerings together with our best price guarantee.

Accreditation & associations

• Safaris Down South is globally recognised and accredited with international and national associations.
• With our accredited certification, customers are assured that the business is legitimate, financially stable, legally compliant, insured and has integrity. Accredited members adhere to a strict to code of conduct, guaranteeing high standards of service, good quality, trustworthiness, and recourse for the consumer.
• Safaris Down South is bonded with ATTA and SATSA as well as third-party indemnity, ensuring financially sound relationships.

Why book with us:

• No booking or credit card fees!
• Accredited and certified with global associations
• Multiple promotions and discounts added to our packages
• Best-price guarantee with all of our hotels and lodges
• Each and every itinerary has been designed by an on-trend team that is actually involved in the safari industry and South African travel
• One-on-one planning assistance and advice
• Continued support before and during your holiday

Customized packages:

• Customised packages are available on request.
• Our team will discuss your requests and design packages to suit your expectations.

All South Africa Kruger National Sabi Sands Madikwe Eastern Cape Cape Town & Safari Malaria Free

14 Nights Sabi Sands, Cape Town & Winelands

14 Nights / 15 Days

From R  130,000 to R  180,000 per person

Includes internal flights, transfers, accommodation…

MalaMala has stood the test of time and delivers a high standard safari experience. In Cape Town your hotel is located in the V&A waterfront and then it’s time to unwind at Babylonstoren wine estate…

7 Nights Kruger National Park & Sabi Sands

7 Nights / 8 Days

From R  149,000 to R  155,000 per person

Stay at the exquisite Saseka Tented Camp in the Kruger National Park and Sabi Sabi’s signature Earth Lodge in the Sabi Sands. This is an ultra-luxurious experience with exceptional Big-5 game drives…

8 Nights Eastern Cape Game Reserve & Cape Town

8 Nights / 9 Days

From R  118,800 to R  166,700 per person

With high standard game drives and luxury accommodation, Kwandwe Ecca Lodge is known for the most superior safari in the Eastern Cape. Stay in Cape Town’s most prestigious boutique hotel…

6 Nights Kruger National Park & Sabi Sands

6 Nights / 7 Days

From R  268,500 to R  311,000 per person

Experience world class game drives, exceptional attention to detail and warm African hospitality at two Singita Lodges. Sweni Lodge is located in the Kruger National Park and Boulders lodge in the Sabi Sands…

10 Nights Sabi Sands, Cape Town & Winelands

10 Nights / 11 Days

From R  176,000 to R  210,000 per person

Sabi Sabi Earth lodge offers an ultra luxurious 5- star safari and is matched by Cape Town’s most prestigious boutique hotel and an award winning wine estate in Stellenbosch wine region…

10 Nights Kruger National Park, Cape Town & Winelands

From R  60,500 to R  76,600 per person

With sweeping riverbed views, experience a safari at Thornybush Game Lodge in the Kruger National Park. Stay at a boutique hotel along the Atlantic coastline in Cape Town and then enjoy the Franschhoek wine region…

14 Nights Kruger National Park, Cape Town & Winelands

From R  70,000 to R  80,300 per person

Kapama River Lodge is well known for its Big-5 game drives and warm African hospitality. Stay at a boutique hotel along the Atlantic coastline in Cape Town and then enjoy the Franschhoek wine region…

From R  280,500 to R  309,000 per person

Experience the best of the best and stay at the exclusive Singita Sweni Lodge in the Kruger National Park and then enjoy an exclusive-use private villa at Cheetah Plains in the Sabi Sands…

6 Nights Kruger National Park Safari Experience

From R  114,000 to R  120,000 per person

Two 5-star safari destinations await. Thornybush Game Lodge is located in the Kruger region and Narina Lodge lies along the Sabie River in the Lion Sands Private Game Reserve…

10 Nights Madikwe, Cape Town & Winelands

From R  95,000 to R  134,500 per person

Jamala Safari Lodge offers an intimate safari in luxury with high standard game drives.  In Cape Town your hotel is located in the V&A waterfront and then it’s time to unwind at Babylonstoren wine estate…

From R  68,200 to R  117,300 per person

A luxury tented camp experience with world class game drives awaits at Shamwari Bayethe. In Cape Town your hotel is located in the V&A waterfront and overlooks a private marina…

From R  114,000 to R  114,000 per person

A combination of two world class safari lodges. The renowned MalaMala Camp in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and Siviti Safari Lodge, a small luxury safari lodge in the Kruger National Park…

From R  45,600 to R  59,200 per person

Located in Pumba Private Game Reserve, Pumba Bush Lodge overlooks a waterhole visited by wildlife and offers a high standard safari experience. Stay on Camps Bay beachfront in Cape Town …

From R  56,000 to R  69,500 per person

Southern Camp at Kapama ticks all the boxes and offers an exceptional 5-star safari experience. Stay at a boutique hotel along the Atlantic coastline in Cape Town and then enjoy the Stellenbosch wine region…

From R  213,100 to R  262,000 per person

From R  163,000 to R  197,300 per person

Expect exceptional attention to detail and world class game drives at Molori Safari Lodge. Stay in Cape Town’s most prestigious boutique hotel and an award winning wine estate in Stellenbosch wine region…

From R  54,000 to R  61,200 per person

14 Nights Madikwe, Cape Town & Winelands

From R  80,400 to R  90,600 per person

Overlooking a waterhole, Tuningi Safari Lodge offers offer a high standard safari experience. Stay at a boutique hotel along the Atlantic coastline in Cape Town and then enjoy the Franschhoek wine region…

10 Nights MalaMala Camp, Cape Town & Winelands

From R  97,900 to R  133,500 per person

From R  83,150 to R  93,400 per person

Experience the renowned Kruger National Park at 5-star Siviti Safari Lodge. Stay at a boutique hotel along the Atlantic coastline in Cape Town and then enjoy the Franschhoek wine region…

8 Nights Madikwe Game Reserve & Cape Town

From R  148,900 to R  168,800 per person

Experiences the best of the best. Stay at the exclusive Molori Safari Lodge in Madikwe Game Reserve and Cape Town’s most prestiguos botique hotel on the Atlantic coast…

From R  97,700 to R  138,000 per person

Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge provides the ultimate safari in the Sabi Sands. In Cape Town your hotel is located in the V&A waterfront and then it’s time to unwind at Richard Branson’s wine estate in Franschhoek…

8 Nights Kruger National Park & Cape Town

From R  69,300 to R  73,400 per person

5-star Siviti Safari Lodge ticks all the boxes and offers a high standard safari experience and luxury accommodation. Stay at a boutique hotel along the Atlantic coastline in Cape Town…

From R  76,400 to R  83,500 per person

From R  90,000 to R  103,000 per person

8 Nights Sabi Sands Game Reserve & Cape Town

From R  143,300 to R  163,300 per person

For an ultra luxurious 5- star safari experiee, Sabi Sabi Earth lodge offers a safari in one of the countries most exclusive lodges and is matched by Cape Town’s most prestigious boutique hotel…

From R  112,900 to R  165,000 per person

Lion Sands Narina Lodge overlooks the Sabie River and offers an intimate safari. In Cape Town your hotel is located in the V&A waterfront and an award winning wine estate awaits in Stellenbosch wine region…

From R  101,000 to R  110,000 per person

From the Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve to Thornybush Game Lodge, this Sabi Sands & Kruger combination offers some of the countries best game viewing opportunities…

From R  152,900 to R  189,700 per person

Saseka offers a tented safari experience like no other in the Kruger National Park. Embrace the breath-taking views from your exclusive Cape Town hotel and then relax in the Cape Winelands…

7 Nights Kruger National Park Experience

From R  83,500 to R  88,000 per person

Experience two 5-star private game reserves in the Kruger National Park. Kapama River Lodge and Siviti Safari Lodge are a perfect combination, and are located in prime locations for Big-5 game viewing…

From R  136,900 to R  171,500 per person

Expect world class wildlife experiences and a super stylish lodge on your safari at Chitwa Chitwa. Embrace the breath-taking views from your exclusive Cape Town hotel and then relax in the Cape Winelands…

From R  115,100 to R  172,200 per person

10 Nights Eastern Cape, Cape Town & Winelands

From R  42,000 to R  55,500 per person

Strategically located along the Cariega River, Pumba Water Lodge offers a 5-star safar experience. Stay at a boutique hotel along the Atlantic coastline in Cape Town and then enjoy the Franschhoek wine region…

From R  75,900 to R  80,300 per person

Thornybush Game Lodge is located in a prime location in the Kruger National and boasts sweeping views over the riverbed below. Stay at a boutique hotel along the Atlantic coastline in Cape Town…

From R  315,000 to R  366,000 per person

For an ultra-luxurious safari experience, this combination exceeds expectations every time. Royal Malewane and Singita Boulders Lodge are two of the countries most exclusive safari lodges …

From R  95,800 to R  127,000 per person

Enjoy an intimate safari in luxury with high standard game drives at the luxurious Jamala Safari Lodge. In Cape Town your hotel is located in the V&A waterfront…

From R  137,700 to R  192,900 per person

Kwandwe Ecca Lodge is known for the most superior safari in the Eastern Cape. Stay in Cape Town’s most prestigious boutique hotel and an award winning wine estate in Stellenbosch wine region…

From R  71,500 to R  124,400 per person

Experience close up Big-5 sightings and a luxury tented camp at Shamwari Bayethe. In Cape Town your hotel is located in the V&A waterfront and then it’s time to unwind at Babylonstoren wine estate…

From R  85,000 to R  108,500 per person

Madikwe Lelapa Lodge invites you to a high standard safari in the heart of Madikwe Game Reserve. Stay on Camps Bay beachfront in Cape Town and then enjoy the Franschhoek wine region…

From R  109,300 to R  149,300 per person

The luxurious Lion Sands Narina Lodge overlooks the Sabie River and offers an intimate safari. In Cape Town your hotel is located in the V&A waterfront and overlooks a private marina…

From R  75,200 to R  92,600 per person

From R  64,000 to R  71,000 per person

From R  51,700 to R  69,500 per person

Pumba Bush Lodge overlooks a waterhole visited by wildlife and offers a high standard safari experience. Stay on Camps Bay beachfront in Cape Town and then enjoy the Franschhoek wine region…

From R  66,600 to R  76,600 per person

Tuningi Safari Lodge overlooks a waterhole and offers a high standard safari experience with world class game drives.  Stay at a boutique hotel along the Atlantic coastline in Cape Town…

6 Nights Kruger National Park Experience

From R  60,000 to R  70,000 per person

This combination offers two diverse experiences at high standard 5-star safari lodges. Garonga Safari Camp offers a unique tented experience and Kapama River Lodge is renowned for Big-5 sightings…

From R  73,000 to R  90,250 per person

From R  113,200 to R  134,600 per person

Chitwa Chitwa Private Game Reserve offers an exclusive safari experience in a ultra-stylish safari lodge in the Sabi Sands. Embrace the breath-taking views from your exclusive Cape Town hotel…

From R  123,400 to R  178,800 per person

Includes: Travel insurance, transfers, internal flights, accommodation, full board safari experience …

Jamala Safari Lodge offers an intimate safari in luxury with high standard game drives. In Cape Town your hotel is located in the V&A waterfront and then it’s time to unwind at Babylonstoren wine estate…

From R  102,400 to R  128,300 per person

MalaMala Camp is renowned for its high standard safaris and has stood the test of time over and over again. In Cape Town your hotel is located in the V&A waterfront and overlooks a private marina…

14 Nights Eastern Cape, Cape Town & Winelands

From R  95,800 to R  169,000 per person

From R  152,000 to R  225,350 per person

From R  153,200 to R  197,150 per person

From R  56,200 to R  60,300 per person

Located in the Kruger National Park, Kapama River Lodge is well known for its Big-5 game drives and warm African hospitality. Stay at a boutique hotel along the Atlantic coastline in Cape Town…

From R  77,300 to R  103,200 per person

Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge is well know for its luxury safari offering and provides the ultimate safari in the Sabi Sands. In Cape Town your hotel is located in the V&A waterfront and overlooks a private marina…

From R  52,150 to R  69,900 per person

From R  188,500 to R  265,400 per person

From R  123,000 to R  144,400 per person

A combination countires most stylish offerings. Saseka offers a tented safari experience like no other in the Kruger National Park. Embrace the breath-taking views from your exclusive Cape Town…

Kapama Southern Camp in the Kruger National Park ticks all the boxes and offers an exceptional 5-star safari experience. Stay at a boutique hotel along the Atlantic coastline in Cape Town…

From R  218,700 to R  267,600 per person

From R  38,300 to R  49,900 per person

Pumba Water Lodge is strategically located along the Cariega River and offers a 5-star safar experience in the Eastern Cape. Stay at a boutique hotel along the Atlantic coastline in Cape Town…

From R  65,800 to R  89,800 per person

From R  120,500 to R  150,500 per person

From R  65,900 to R  77,900 per person

Experience a luxury safrai in the heart of Madikwe. Lelapa Lodge offers high standard game drives with close up sightings. Stay on Camps Bay beachfront in Cape Town…

Can't Find What You Looking For?

Visiting such a diverse country necessitates some expertise to determine which area, lodge and transport will suit you best. Whether you are a family, couple or traveling solo, we’ll guide you to the perfect place for an incredible safari experience

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South Africa

Book your safari holiday experience today, experience south africa safari tours.

South Africa is not only home to Africa’s iconic wildlife, but also destinations and experiences. It is a prime bush and beach holiday destination, great not only for safari goers, but also honey-mooners, families, photographers and even solo travellers. There is not much that South Africa doesn’t have to offer. From the most pristine Big 5 game viewing, the beautiful and iconic Garden Route, the beautiful city of Cape Town and the neighboring wine lands, Kwazulu Natal’s beautiful beaches, the thought of a safari to South Africa will have you spoilt for choices. A Safari to South Africa will capture your heart with its sensational scenery, exotic wildlife and colourful culture. The wildlife is excellent and easily accessible thanks to excellent infrastructure and a well-run tourism industry. 

South Africa boasts a wide variety of habitats and scenery with superb wildlife viewing parks and reserves, offering a far greater ecological diversity. Its public reserves are particularly well suited for budget safaris, while an ever growing collection of luxurious private reserves offers concentrated Big 5 viewing at the top end of the price range. A good network of surfaced roads and domestic flights allows for flexible itinerary planning, but the flagship Kruger National Park and associated private reserves remain the obvious choice for first-time safari goers. The best place for safari in South Africa is in private reserves adjacent to the Kruger National Park. This is without a doubt the easiest quality area in Africa to see the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino) and often times in one day you may see all the 5 species.

Reasons to Safari in South Africa

• Magnificent wildlife and Birds
• Cape Town Beach Holidays
• Superb Food and Wine
• Premier Game viewing destination
• One of Africa’s top vacation destination
• Malaria free national parks and reserves
• Easy sighting of the Big 5
• Better chance to see exclusive wildlife
• Plenty of budget-friendly safaris offering excellent value for money
• Awe inspiring scenery and magnificent natural and historical sights
• Excellent accommodation options
• Perfect combination of bush, beach and cultural heritage safaris.
• Abundance of things to do
• Friendly people and local cultures
• The sunshine and ideal weather
• Its family friendly year-round

South Africa Safari Itineraries

Experience the thrill of a lifetime with our South African safari itineraries, packed with adventure.

South Africa National Parks & Reserves

Witness the splendour of South Africa’s incredible landscapes and diverse wildlife. Visit some of South Africa’s world famous safari National Parks and Reserves.  

Sabi Sands Game Reserve

Phinda Game Reserve

Marakele National Park

Manyeleti Game Reserve

MalaMala Game Reserve

Kruger National Park

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park

Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve

Amakala Game Reserve

Addo Elephant National Park

Call +254113274514 for expert advice on the ideal African safari destination. Whatsapp us for personalised recommendations.

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Indulge in the ultimate safari experience by exploring Out2Safari’s exclusive African safari destinations

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Tailor-made South Africa Holidays

There’s a reason why South Africa stands firmly at the top of countless bucket lists. Nowhere else will you see a continent’s worth of diversity packed into one country. While some dream of the seductive viniculture of its gorgeous vine-clad Winelands, others long for a Big 5 safari in the Kruger’s iconic game-rich savannahs. Add on a couple of days in Cape Town, a cosmopolitan hive of buzzing artist studios and world-class restaurants, all under the staggering plateau of Table Mountain. Then there’s the hypnotising landscape where you could stand for hours stupefied by the jagged peaks of the sweeping Drakensberg Mountains and the spectacular Swartberg range, best explored on a road trip that slices through vividly coloured quartzite and steep geological formations.

In a land of sheer variety, surprising encounters pop up around every bend as frequently as the whales in the Eastern Cape. See them on a trip around the Garden Route, South Africa’s famed stretch of irresistible coastline encompassing high-rearing mountains and forests peppered with gold-sand beaches and pretty seaside towns. Nearby lie unbelievable game reserves perfect for families who can take advantage of the malaria-free aspect. Further north, history is rife in the KwaZulu-Natal province, home to the battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift where fans of the movie Zulu can relive the heroism of those significant military events.

In a country that’s as colourful as its national flag, planning a trip is easier than you think with the help of our destination insiders. Just ask and they will assist you with your every whim when it comes to satisfying your South African wanderlust. And the best thing? The favourable exchange rate between the pound and the rand so that you can explore the country’s sweeping diversity in surprisingly more affordable ways.

Our South Africa Travel Guide  is a good place to start planning with essential travel information, when to travel and how best to get around. Or get familiar with South Africa’s diverse landscapes with our interactive map and regional guides.

South Africa itinerary ideas

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Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Laura, who's travelled extensively in South Africa. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember - ex banker who can show you the hottest foodie spots in Cape Town, the award-winning young sommelier who can introduce you to Stellenbosch's finest wines and the walking safari ranger who can guide you to the best game.

Laura Preston

Travel Expert for Alfred&

Having travelled extensively through Africa, Laura has a wealth of experience. She is passionate about Tanzania’s diversity from the quiet wilds of Ruaha that feel completely private to the silvery sands of Zanzibar and Stone Town’s spice-laced streets. In South Africa, she sought out the best views over Table Mountain, cocktail in hand, as well as the lesser-visited Kruger conservancies for more exclusive safaris. But her favourite place in the world has to be the Serengeti for its wide-open plains and incredible game that epitomise that feeling of Africa.

Wayne Howarth

Head Safari Guide at Kariega Game Reserve

Wayne loves being outdoors and has spent most of his life between the family farm and working on Private Game Reserves in the Eastern Cape. He has been guiding at Kariega for 12 years. His qualifications include Field Guide Association of South Africa (FGASA) Level 2, Advance Rifle Handling, Skippers Licence Category R and first aid.  One of his career highlights was becoming a finalist in the 2021 Safari Guide of the Year competition.

Rupesh Kassen

Founder and guide of Eat Like A Local

Rupesh Kassen abandoned his decade-long career in banking to move to East Africa, where he trained and worked as a chef. He later became immersed in South Africa’s food scene and worked as a food critic before setting up Eat Like A Local in Cape Town. Rupesh now offers guided food tours to showcase the city and its diverse culture and history through food.

Fundi Ziqubu

Fundi was born in Durban and fell in love with wine when it was introduced to her by a few Capetonian friends. On discovering her passion she got the chance to study wine with the department of tourism in collaboration with the Sommeliers Academy. Being appointed sommelier at Lanzerac was a career highlight and in 2019 Fundi was named most up-and-coming wine steward by the Distell Inter-Hotel challenge.

Ntobeko Ntshingila

Duty Manager at Three Tree Hill Lodge

Ntobeko has been part of the Three Trees family for 13 years and describes it as a lovely journey with lots of room for growth and experience. She has her own family, including a daughter of 18, and a son, aged three. She lives in a nearby village with her parents, four siblings and three nephews. When not spending time with her family she manages her broiler chicken business, which brings her extra income.

Cheryl Blackburn

Owner and guide, Three Tree Hill Lodge

Being born in the Kruger National Park instilled in Cheryl a love of nature and wildlife. Having lived and worked as a guide in the Kruger reserve, and also in Botswana, she eventually got the opportunity to run her own lodge, with her growing family, in the lush KwaZulu Natal Drakensberg region. She still finds time to guide guests on foot, tracking white rhino in the neighbouring Spioenkop Game Reserve.

Freephone an expert 01306230466 Open at 10am

Alfred&  from the multi award winning Kuoni  

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Travel with us for total peace of mind. All our holidays are ATOL protected, we’re members of ABTA (the leading travel industry association) and you’ll have our full support throughout your travels.

Places to go in South Africa

• Drakensberg
• Eastern Cape Game Reserves
• Franschhoek
• Greater Kruger Game Reserves
• Hazyview and the Panorama Route
• Hermanus and Gansbaai
• iSimangaliso Wetland Park
• Johannesburg
• KwaZulu-Natal Game Reserves
• Madikwe Game Reserve
• Plettenberg Bay
• Stellenbosch
• The Battlefields
• The Garden Route
• Umhlanga Rocks

South Africa Travel guide

• When to Travel
• Getting Around
• Eating & Drinking

Time difference : GMT +2

Flight time : London + 11-12 hours

Currency: South African Rand (ZAR)

Language : 11 official languages including English, Afrikaans, Zulu and Xhosa

Electricity : 220-230v (round three-pin plugs)

Telephone code : +27

Tipping : Tipping is customary in South Africa, but not compulsory. If you have received good service, and if it has not already been included in the bill, then 10-15 per cent is usual in restaurants. Ten to fifteen rand per bag is recommended for porters. Most safari lodges provide tipping guidelines in the room. Safari rangers and trackers are normally tipped directly at around 300 rand per person per day and a general staff tip box is often available to be shared with the rest of the lodge staff.

Etiquette:  South Africa is a very welcoming country, and you will often be greeted by a beaming smile and refreshments. When eating, it is often considered bad manners to leave food on the plate. If you are visiting rural villages, respect should always be shown to elders and always ask permission before taking photographs, as is customary in most countries. Also refrain from taking photos of government buildings, military personnel or any political demonstration. When travelling on the Blue Train or Rovos Rail, evening dinner is an elegant event and guests should dress for the occasion with gentlemen expected to wear jackets.

Religions : Under the South African constitution, everyone is free to worship any faith. Following the arrival of the Dutch and British settlers, over 80% of South Africans are Christian with many following the Zion Christianity faith. Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism make up the remainder. Traditional African religions are also celebrated with the Zulu culture visiting sangomas for their spiritual healing.

Visas: You can look up the latest advice on https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa . Please be aware that this information can change at short notice.

Vaccinations: Health risks vary depending on the destination so it’s essential to check the specific vaccination and hygiene requirements for South Africa on the NHS Fit for Travel website .

South Africa is a year-round destination although there are seasonal variations dependent on which part of the country you are visiting. From November to March, it is humid and there are occasional afternoon and evening storms, but this is the best time to travel for birding, and temperatures remain warm at 22°C to 33°C.  

Christmas and New Year is when the South Africans have their main summer and school holidays so beaches, particularly in and around Cape Town, will be busy and advance booking of restaurants may be necessary.  

June to September is the dry season for safaris around Kruger National Park but expect cold starts on the morning game drives. This is one of the best times to see wildlife as the grasses are short and the animals often congregate around the diminishing waterholes. It can be rainy in the Kruger area from November to February but an ideal time for bird watching. Whales can often be seen from June to November around Hermanus.  

The best time to visit KwaZulu-Natal, the Drakensberg and Battlefields is from May to August. The days are pleasantly warm, but it is cooler at night, layers are a must.  

From the three international airports at Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, there is excellent connectivity to the rest of South Africa. The country benefits from an efficient domestic airline network linking the major cities. Many of the safari lodges conveniently have their own private airstrips or are just a short game-drive from one of the three airports serving Kruger National Park.

A journey on the luxurious Blue Train or Rovos Rail, connecting Cape Town and Pretoria, showcases South Africa’s beautiful landscapes.

A popular way to explore the Cape Peninsular and the Garden Route is to rent a car and explore the country at your own pace. Driving is on the left-hand side and the roads and major attractions are generally well signposted. The vineyard-clad hills of the Winelands can easily be accessed by car from Cape Town, although if you want to do some wine tasting then the Wine Tram offers a hop-on hop-off service between a variety of wine estates throughout the Franschhoek valley.

Due to favourable exchange rates, South Africa offers excellent value when it comes to dining out. Due to its multi-cultural diversity, the variety of food on offer is exceptional. From freshly caught seafood along the Garden Route to delicious Cape Malay cuisine from the Bo Kaap in Cape Town. KwaZulu-Natal is famous for its bunny chow, a hollowed-out loaf, filled with a spicy curry whilst a visit to the Winelands region provides the opportunity to wander the quaint towns and sample the offerings from the delicatessens, cheese and chocolate shops.

South Africa’s wines are internationally acclaimed although it is rumoured the best wine is kept in the country so it’s worth visiting some of the smaller boutique wineries for some tastings.  Craft beers and gin, infused with botanicals from the Cape floral kingdom, are also popular.

There is no compromise when it comes to food whilst on safari. Expect impressive brunches after your morning safari and a quintessential high tea with home-baked cakes before setting off on your afternoon game drive. A sundowner drink is customary, and quite a magical experience when you are surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature. A traditional braai (South African barbecue) in a boma under the African night sky is the perfect way to end your safari experience.

From designer shopping malls to traditional craft markets, South Africa has plenty to entice the visitor. Sandton City, Fourways Mall and Melrose Arch are just some of the vast shopping malls in Johannesburg. If you are in the city on a Sunday, then head to Rosebank for its famous roof top market. There are plenty of food stalls and entertainment to keep you going as you browse the antiques, crafts and artwork.

The glitzy malls of Cape Town’s Victoria and Alfred Waterfront are just a short walk from The Red Shed Craft Warehouse where you can see artisans at work. Popular purchases are beadwork, textiles and wood carvings. Haggling is expected in the markets.

Most hotels and safari lodges have small boutiques selling the essentials.

With its multi-cultural heritage, South Africa celebrates festivals and national holidays throughout the year.

In January the streets of Cape Town come alive when over 10,000 minstrels celebrate Kaapse Klopse in a colourful parade of music and dancing.  The Cape Town Jazz Festival is normally held in March whilst the Knysna Oyster Festival is a great family event held in June or July. Also at this time the National Arts Festival is held along the coast at Grahamstown.

If you are visiting the Cape in September, then it’s worth heading to Hermanus for its whale festival. It’s a great carnival atmosphere to celebrate the southern right whales that can often be seen off the coast from June to November. If you are lucky, you may get to see the whales breach.

Important National holidays include Freedom Day on 27 th April to commemorate the first post-apartheid elections and the Day of Reconciliation held on the 16 th December, to celebrate the end of apartheid.

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• Destinations

South Africa

The World in One Country

Why Visit South Africa?

If you wrote a list of all the things you wanted to do or see on holiday, we can bet that South Africa ticks most of those boxes. Whether it's relaxing on a beach, going on a photographic wildlife safari , immersing yourself in rich culture and worldly history, road tripping through breathtaking scenery, or taking to the countryside, one award-winning glass of wine at a time - South Africa safari has it all, and more...

Home to the southernmost point of Africa, Cape Agulhas, where the warm Indian Ocean meets the cool Atlantic Ocean, South Africa is a country of extraordinary natural beauty. Being in such a unique position, the country offers a diversity unrivalled to anywhere else on earth including topography, climate, wildlife, culture and its people.

Flying into one of the country's international airports (Cape Town, Johannesburg or Durban) will set you up in the perfect position to explore the country's many highlights. With so much on offer all year-round, why would you ever want to leave? And with one of our Travel Experts guiding you towards your ultimate safari in South Africa, you'll be asking yourself that same question as soon as you step off the plane.

The options are endless: combine an indulgent foodie getaway in the Cape Winelands with a Big 5 safari experience in the Kruger National Park . Experience the fast-paced energy of Johannesburg's urban jungle and then move on to the beaches, bushveld, and historic battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal . Or simply top off a relaxing seaside holiday on the gorgeous Garden Route with a malaria-free safari in the Eastern Cape. Whether you like it mellow or wild, a South African holiday guarantees you the all-rounded African experience you’ve always dreamed of.

In Africa, It's Not About What You Know, But Who You Know.

We've partnered with the best to ensure you get front row seats at the best possible price., frequently asked questions.

We've taken the liberty to answer everything you may need to know about visiting South Africa

Any time! South Africa is a year-round destination. However, if you plan to combine a few areas where weather patterns vary, you should note a couple of things when looking for the best time to travel to South Africa for your specific itinerary. 

South Africa's Seasons

South Africa is in the southern hemisphere, so it's the summer season here when it's winter in Europe and North America (from November to February). Therefore, it's the ideal destination for anyone wanting to escape the cold weather on that side of the world.

Average temperatures in summer generally range from a minimum of 19°C (66.2°F) to a maximum of 29°C (84.2°F). In winter, it can be anything from 6°C (42.8°F) to 23°C (73.4°F). So, although it can get quite chilly at night, it's nothing like the northern hemisphere winters!

If you're planning a safari, there are two weather patterns to consider. The Cape Peninsula in the south has a Mediterranean climate, which means that it's hot and dry in summer (from October to May) and wet and cold in winter (from June to Sept). However, you can still experience some of the most beautiful days during a South African winter! 

The rest of South Africa, including the safari destinations, has an African rainfall that is dry and hot in winter with cool mornings and evenings. In summer, you can expect rain and, in some areas, thunderstorms. The wet weather causes the bush to turn into lush greenery, a spectacular sight!

Best Time for a Kruger Safari

If you're visiting South Africa predominantly for a  Kruger safari , winter is generally the best time to visit South Africa. However, if you want to add on a beach holiday, you want to find the "sweet spot" in-between seasons.

Best Time for Cape Town

Cape Town 's best seasons are spring, summer and autumn (between September and May). In spring, southern right whales visit the coastline, and the flowers are in full bloom. Autumn offers respite from the summer heat, and the Cape Winelands' vineyards are starting to change colour.

Best Time for KwaZulu-Natal

When visiting the  KwaZulu-Natal  coast for a beach holiday, winters are ideal as average temperatures hover around 26°C (79°F), whereas you can expect high humidity in summer.

Our Travel Experts will help you find the optimal time to visit South Africa for the best possible experience.

South Africa safaris are special and world-famous for many reasons! There are plenty of game reserves and national parks like  Kruger  to choose from, including family-friendly and malaria-free destinations, as well as private game reserves for a more exclusive luxury safari. With some of the world's prime wildlife viewing, including the Big 5, wide-open diverse landscapes, unique activities in the bush, and many luxury lodges, it's the ideal safari destination. 

Safari wildlife 

Of course, the animals are the real stars of the show. Best known for the  Big 5  (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo), you can also see giraffe, warthog, zebra, cheetah, various antelope species, plenty of birdlife, and many more! South Africa safaris also allow you to see some of the rarer endangered wildlife like black rhino, pangolin and African wild dog. 

Of course, South Africa has more to offer than the bush, with sea safaris being a popular highlight! On your ocean safari, you can see whales (seasonal), dolphins, sharks, seals, and other marine wildlife. Boulders Beach in Cape Town is also famous for its penguins that made the shore their home. 

Diverse landscapes 

South Africa safaris are special because of the wide range of vistas, and you'll feel like you've entered a new world at every second turn! From the arid Klein Karoo to the dense bush, indigenous Fynbos vegetation, dramatic mountain ranges towering over the ocean, rolling green hills, red Kalahari dunes – the list goes on and on.

Unique safari activities 

A safari in South Africa also allows you to partake in unique safari activities, especially when you stay in a private game reserve like  Sabi Sand.  For example, you can go on bush walks, sleep-outs under the stars, day and night game drives, cultural excursions, photo safaris, and more adventures. The luxury lodges also offer plenty of onsite activities such as wellness treatments, wine experiences, gin tastings, child-friendly programs, and more. 

South Africa  safaris are on everyone’s bucket list, and rightly so! Come and see why for yourself. 

Look at any world map, and nine times out of ten, the African continent is in the middle of the page. South Africa is located right at the bottom of this big chunk of land and is 1,233,404 km² (766,401 miles²) in size and is edged on three sides by nearly 3,000 km (1,864 miles) of coastline, with the Indian Ocean to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.

The country is bordered in the north by  Namibia ,  Botswana ,  Zimbabwe  and  Mozambique , and also encloses two independent countries, the kingdoms of Lesotho and Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland).

Getting to South Africa

You will likely need to make at least one transit stop along the way to get to one of the country's international airports. And depending on where you will be flying from, your dedication will be rewarded tenfold with an unforgettable adventure. It's a long haul from Europe (10 to 12 hours), Asia (12 to 17 hours) and the United States (up to 15 hours or even more), but it will be so worth it!

With many major international airlines flying into South Africa, you have your options open to choose which carrier to bring you over. Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) operates the major airports and is responsible for approximately 200,000 landings and around 24 million passengers every year. So, if you find yourself researching flights into South Africa, here are the three major airports to keep in mind (in order of most frequently used):

- O. R. Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg)

- Cape Town International Airport (Cape Town)

- King Shaka International Airport (Durban)

South Africa does have crime, and, yes, there is also a list of areas within the country you should rather avoid. However, that's the case for almost any other developing country where a large part of the population lives in poverty in rural areas without access to basic amenities and quality education. 

We're not trying to diminish the extent of South Africa's crime rates. However, the reality is that crime is found worldwide and in most major cities. But with the right advice, guidance and direction, you're able to avoid letting the news or social media scare you away from visiting this one-of-a-kind destination for your South Africa safari holiday. This is also a big reason why it's so beneficial to book your holiday with us, the authority on African travel.

Rhino Africa is based in Cape Town, one of the country's major travel hubs and iconic destinations. Therefore, we're able to give our clients first-hand, on-the-ground travel advice, safety recommendations and local tips while booking the best itinerary possible. We're locals here, have travelled far and wide to experience everything our continent has to offer first-hand, and we look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful home for your South Africa safari holiday!

South Africa safari holidays are perfect for anyone and everyone from families, romantic couple getaways, solo travellers, and friends travelling together. There's so much to see and do, that everyone will have something to enjoy! Here are just some of the highlights you can look forward to on your South Africa safari holiday.

Big 5 safaris 

Home to the famous  Big 5 , namely leopard, lion, rhino, elephant and buffalo, South Africa is a safari mecca. There are also plenty of other wildlife, birdlife, and plant species to see. 

Rare wildlife sightings

South Africa is a haven for many of the world's most endangered species, such as the black rhino, pangolin, African wild dog, aardvark, gemsbok, Hartmann's mountain zebra, and more.  Tswalu Kalahari Reserve  is a great place to see many of these species against the backdrop of the red Kalahari dunes.

Birdwatching

South Africa has plenty of birdlife, with over 857 species recorded. Birders will be delighted at the endemic and migratory species you can admire throughout the country. 

Watersports and pristine beaches  

A South Africa safari holiday is not complete without a day on the beach! And you'll have plenty of excellent ones to choose from. Although the water is colder here, Cape Town is famous for its sundrenched beaches, such as  Camps Bay & Clifton , Blouberg and Muizenberg. At Boulders Beach, you will share the sandy coastline with a colony of penguins!

The  Garden Route , Wild Coast and  Durban  in  KwaZulu-Natal , to name a few, offer vast stretches of powdery white sand and warm water. Here you can enjoy plenty of watersports, from surfing, stand-up paddling, kitesurfing, snorkelling, diving, and more. 

Wine tasting  

South Africa is home to some of the top wine-producing farms. With wineries offering tastings around every turn in the  Cape Winelands , you can wine-hop from farm to farm, your heart and glass overflowing! 

Fine dining

South Africa, in particular the  Cape Town  area, is home to some of the world's best restaurants. In fact, it has three restaurants ranked in the top 100 in the world, namely Wolfgat, La Colombe, and Fyn. The first South African chef awarded a Michelin star for his restaurant in France, Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen, opened Klein JAN restaurant at  Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve , a must for all food enthusiasts.  

History, art and culture 

South Africa is a melting pot of cultures, with 11 official languages! With a rich history, plenty of cultural excursions and art galleries like the Zeitz MOCAA, the world's largest collection of contemporary African art, there's plenty to see, experience, and learn.

Yes, of course! South Africa has some of the most scenic driving routes globally, and what better way to road trip than to do it at your own pace. Being based in Cape Town, with most of our Travel Experts having grown up in South Africa from all over the country, we're equipped to share all the ins and outs of driving around South Africa for the ultimate itinerary.

One of the most popular self-driving routes in South Africa is the well-known  Garden Route  and can be done in reverse depending on where your starting point will be. If you plan to fly into Cape Town, consider spending a few nights here first acclimatising before hiring a car and heading up the coast for the perfect summer holiday.

This route takes visitors east along the coast from Cape Town, past spectacular coastal scenery and through indigenous forests surrounding the beautiful town of Knysna. A road trip like this can be for the family, a group of friends, or even the newlywed couple looking to spend some time exploring this beautiful piece of the world. There's a long to-do list of stops and activities, such as adrenaline-pumping bungee jumping off the third highest drop in the world, visiting various animal sanctuaries, boat rides, and more. You could even end your road trip with a few nights on safari at one of the many private, malaria-free game reserves along the way.

South Africa is a mecca for self-drive enthusiasts. Although distances can be daunting, the roads are well signposted, the majority are well maintained, and the scenery is spectacular! If you're visiting a national park, you may wish to hire an SUV for comfort, and it will give you a height advantage when game viewing. Self-service roads inside national parks can get bumpy, so a good height clearing vehicle is highly recommended. The Panorama Route near Kruger and Chapman’s Peak Drive between Cape Town and the Cape of Good Hope are two other must-sees for self-drivers. 

Why book with us?

Luxury Safari Holidays South Africa

There is no question too small. Start planning your dream trip by talking to our Destination Specialists

A luxury safari in South Africa is a fabulous showcase of the continent’s rich wildlife, but it can include a variety of experiences if you wish.

Experience vibrant cities and strikingly different and spectacular landscapes on your luxury South Africa holidays with Hayes & Jarvis. We promise, there are many surprises in store for you on this journey.

Explore South Africa safari holidays with Hayes & Jarvis

Kruger National Park , situated in the Mpumalanga province, is the most famous Kruger National Park figures right at the top of the best luxury safaris in South Africa list. It’s not hard to see why. And it starts with the park’s fabulous diversity. Photographers, bird watchers, and wildlife enthusiasts will find plenty of reasons to rejoice. Grab the chance to head out on early morning, evening, and night safaris for opportunities to view the entire gamut of wildlife the reserves and parks are famous for. 

For a unique perspective, ride into the sky on a hot air balloon. Or, to get a feel for the land, sign up for an engaging bushwalk or go on hikes that take you close to some of the gentler inhabitants of the park. 

Come evenings, dive in for a dip in your hotel’s swimming pool, pamper yourself with a signature spa treatment or enjoy dinner under the African sky. And with a range of accommodations, from luxurious lodges to glamping choices, you can pick one that speaks to you the most. 

For a more exclusive experience, there’s the Madikwe Game Reserve, which has a strong focus on conservation. Catch sight of the Big 5, lounge near the pool, taking in the raw wilderness that surrounds you and be pleasantly surprised by wildlife sightings right outside your doorstep. 

The Pilanesberg National Park and Shamwari Game Safari are perfect if little guests are involved. Adventure clubs and exciting ranger-led hikes will keep their hands, legs and curious minds entertained and occupied. 

One of the best parts of our tailor-made luxury South Africa adventure is that you can add a variety of experiences to your family safari holidays .

Looking for some city action? How about a break at vibrant Cape Town or buzzing Durban to take in the sights and sounds of South Africa’s lively cities. 

Our luxury safaris in South Africa start at £2,599 per person.

Steps to book a South African safari holiday with Hayes & Jarvis

Step 1 – Browse through our sample itineraries and destinations to understand what kind of a holiday you’d prefer

Step 2: Call us at 020 8106 2403, or write to us. Our travel consultants will contact you to discuss your preferences and requirements after which they will design a personalised itinerary. Based on your feedback, we’ll perfect it so that you can look forward to an enchanting luxury safari in South Africa. 

Step 3: Book your holiday and rest easy. Our team of experts will take care of all the logistics and details.  A brilliant mix of experiences, a luxury safari in South Africa is a memorable adventure any way you look at it. Contact us today to get started.

You can also take a look at the wide range of luxury safari holidays that Hayes & Jarvis has to offer, such as Namibia Safari holiday , or get inspired by top 5 game reserves in South Africa .

Discover our mesmerizing South Africa multi centre holidays and elevate your experience to a whole new level!

Top Tips from our Experts

A few south africa safari itineraries to get you dreaming.

Here’s a selection of popular South Africa safari holidays to give you an idea of what other travellers have enjoyed. Call us now and we’ll create an amazing, tailor made South African holiday package that will fulfill all your safari holiday ideals.

South Africa Safari and Beach Holidays

South Africa And Seychelles Holiday

• from £4,999 PP

More inspiration for South Africa holidays

Take a look at these ideas and recommendations for South Africa safaris put together by our Destination Specialists, who have first-hand experience of this amazing country. Their advice will be invaluable as your dream South African holiday comes together.

Plan the perfect family safari holiday

Top 5 game reserves in South Africa

Frequently asked questions (faqs), which is the best month to go on a luxury safari holiday in south africa.

The best months to go on a luxury safari holiday in South Africa are from May to September, the dry season during which water scarcity drives wildlife to the watering holes. This, in turn, makes it easy to spot the Big 5 and the country’s incredible diversity of fauna and avifauna.

How much does a luxury safari holiday in South Africa cost?

Our luxury safaris in South Africa start from £2,799 per person.

Is Kenya or South Africa better for a luxury safari holiday?

Both Kenya and South Africa are spectacular luxury safari holiday destinations.

South Africa has a well-established tourism infrastructure and offers a fantastic variety of accommodation options and experiences. With several malaria-free game reserves, such as the Eastern Cape Game Reserve and Sanbona Wildlife Reserve and children-centric lodges, South Africa is an excellent pick for first-time safari goers and families.  Kenya offers a mix of unforgettable wildlife sightings and immersive cultural experiences. The Masai Mara is the setting for the ‘Greatest Show on Earth’, the Great Migration. Its acacia tree-studded grasslands provide brilliant opportunities to spot the Big 5, and local villages offer the chance to understand the customs and lifestyles of the local tribes.

Is it safe to go on a safari holiday in South Africa?

Yes, going on a luxury safari holiday in South Africa is absolutely safe. Talk to our travel consultants about the country’s malaria-free game reserves and child-friendly properties if you are looking to travel with kids.

Can the travel consultant create a unique luxury safari holiday in South Africa?

Absolutely. Our travel consultants can create unique luxury safaris in South Africa according to your requirements and wishlists. Whether you are looking for a safari and beach experience or want to visit multiple game reserves, our Africa experts will help curate the ultimate safari holiday for you and your family.

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We're committed to refining your itinerary until we've created the perfect personalised trip for you

The Hayes & Jarvis Way

Since 1952, our travel experts have been traversing the world to connect you with the very best our 60+ destinations have to offer. Tell us what your dream trip entails and we will craft it for you with precision and passion.

Passionate Experts

Like you, we love to travel and explore. Over the years, we've honed our skills to create the most authentic travel experiences for you.

Personalised Journeys

We tailor each itinerary specifically for you. Tell us your travel dreams, and we'll work together to create a perfect trip for you.

Safety & Reliability

We ensure a hassle-free and safe experience with reliable partners. We provide you with a travel concierge dedicated to helping you 24/7 during your trip.

Fully Protected

You and your holiday are in safe hands with us so you can book with confidence and travel worry-free.

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